NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Every New Mexican with a phone bill has been paying the same rate for 911 fees since 1989. However, on Monday, officials from the New Mexico Association of Counties say it's time for a fee increase. Experts said tacking on 99 cents to the phone bill would go a long way in helping 911 centers: "The 9-1-1 emergency surcharge of 51 cents has not increased since the inception in 1989. We've added some different lines to it, some wireline, wireless, VOIP phones, prepaid phones; but it's never been increased from the 51 cents," stated Nicole Brown, with the New Mexico Association of Counties. New Mexico receives $18.6M to help residents heat their homes during winter Whether you knew it or not, roughly half a dollar is added to every New Mexican's phone bill per line for a 911 surcharge—used to pay for things like 911 centers' equipment and training. "This is the third lowest surcharge in the nation despite New Mexico having one of the highest numbers of 911 calls per capita," Brown said. She explained, that according to the Department of Finance 911 Bureau, the call volume in the state equals 1,169 calls per 1,000 residents. "Only one PSAP, or public service answering point, was fully staffed in 2024. We, as a director's affiliate, believe that some of that can be attributed to low wages," Brown said. On top of that, experts claimed the money that is collected from the surcharge only covers about 20 percent of the costs; the rest is shouldered by local governments. "This creates an inequitable 911 landscape across the state, especially in our more rural counties and small towns," said Julian Sena, with the New Mexico Association of Counties. The money they do get can't be used on wages: "New Mexico's 911 fund has some of the strictest limitations on what 911 emergency's surcharge can cover compared to nearly every other state in the nation," Sena explained. With the advent of newer 'Next Generation' technology for 911 dispatchers, which experts are seeking to implement, they're asking lawmakers to consider a price hike of 99 cents—raising the 911 surcharge to $1.50 per line. "We've kind of done everything we can do with 51 cents. It's just that time to increase it," Brown stated. Battle continues for East Mountain residents as Campbell Ranch development moves forward If the price gets enacted, New Mexico's rate would still be under the national average of $1.81. Experts also want to modernize the language in the Enhanced 911 Act, so it can evolve with changing technologies, and expand what the 911 fund can pay for, including better wages for dispatchers and the cost of new tech.