FAQ’s Regarding Increased E911 Costs:

1. What is this charge for?
In 2005, the Alaska Legislature authorized communities to collect increased surcharges to help offset costs of Emergency 911 (E911) response.  The Anchorage Assembly authorized the Municipality of Anchorage’s increase for a total surcharge of $1.50.  This increase will pay for police and fire dispatch costs and network lines, software and database management.  The new surcharge will also help complete and maintain the address updates for the E911 system to facilitate faster and more accurate emergency response.

2. Can I opt out of paying this surcharge?
No.  All customers with phone service in the Municipality Of Anchorage must pay the surcharge for each phone line they own, including cell phones.

3. I’ve already been paying a surcharge of $.50 for E911.  What did the Municipality of Anchorage do with that money?
The previous surcharge of $.50 also helped pay for E911 services.  However, in the past three years, the Municipality of Anchorage has worked to increase the efficiency of the E911 system with computer software and hardware upgrades and increased personnel to handle demands in our ever-growing city.

4. When was the last time the fee was increased?
The E911 surcharge started in 1993 at $.50 per phone line.  In 2001, E911 surcharge for wireless was implemented.

5. Doesn’t my property tax money already pay for these costs?
Currently, the $.50 surcharge collected is not enough to cover the E911 costs.  Property taxes have been used to offset the costs.  The increased surcharge will help reduce the use of the property taxes for E911.

6. I have 3 phone lines in my home and a cell phone.  Will I be charged for each phone?
Yes.  Each different phone line and each cell phone will be charged.

7. How can I check my address in the new E911 system?
To help ensure emergency responders are provided accurate address information from 9-1-1 calls, citizens can verify their address using the Municipality of Anchorage’s residential phone verification number.  When citizens call 565-6789 from their home phones, they will be able to confirm what physical address their phone company has for them.  For detailed instructions on how to use this feature, visit our web site at www.muni.org/addressing/news_565-6789.cfm

8. Who can I talk to if I want more information?
For more information, call Lt. Paul Honeman at the Anchorage Police Department at 786-2403 or email him at phoneman@ci.anchorage.ak.us.  You can also call the Mayor’s office at 343-4311 or email him at Mayor@muni.org.