Houston City Council approved a $69.2 million budget for the Greater Harris County 9‑1‑1 Emergency Network for fiscal year 2027. The figure represents a $2.7 million decrease from the 2026 budget, which was temporarily inflated by two major call‑center technology investments.

Why the budget fell

According to Councilmember Sallie Alcorn’s office, the 2026 budget included extra funding to purchase and install new call‑center equipment. With those upgrades now complete, the network can scale back the additional allocation, resulting in the modest cut for 2027.

Impact on staffing and service area

The network will continue to support 182 call takers in Houston, 101 in Harris County and 15 in Fort Bend County. Alcorn noted that since January the center has handled over 1.7 million emergency calls, and projections show that number climbing to about 2.3 million by the end of 2026.

Funding sources and fee structure

Most of the network’s revenue comes from service fees collected on Texas residents’ phone bills. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts levies a 50‑cent charge on cell phones, a rate that has remained unchanged since 1997. Landline and business rates have risen to $1.50 and $2.50 respectively.

Alcorn emphasized that while the per‑call‑taker fee has stayed flat, the workload has surged. “The populations we serve have increased, the call volume has increased, inflation certainly has gone up, we have broader tech requirements, and cyber‑security obligations,” she said.

Pay concerns and turnover

The councilmember also highlighted a high turnover rate among call takers, noting that Houston pays the lowest hourly wage in the region—$20 an hour—compared with comparable Texas cities that pay up to $30.

Approval process

The budget received final approval from the Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network Board of Managers, the Harris County Commissioners’ Court, and Houston City Council. It will take effect on January 1, 2027.

What this means for residents

Despite the modest reduction, the network remains fully funded to handle a growing call volume and to maintain critical emergency response capabilities across Houston, Harris County and parts of Fort Bend County. Residents can expect continued service without interruption, even as the city works to address wage disparities and staff retention challenges.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.