March 11, 2008 

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved proposed surcharges for 9-1-1 service as submitted by 22 Michigan counties, and it adjusted downward surcharges proposed by 46 other counties so that they do not exceed 2.7 percent of their 2007 revenues, as directed in Public Act 164, the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Enabling Act.  The surcharge goes into effect on July 1 for all communication service users as defined in the law, including wireless.  Previously, the surcharge only affected landline service users.

The MPSC on Jan. 2 issued an order directing Michigan counties that had decided to assess 9-1-1 surcharges to provide the Commission with:  the proposed surcharge the county intends to begin collecting on July 1, its estimated 2007 revenue collected under the existing surcharge, and its estimated county 9-1-1 surcharge revenues for 2008.  The MPSC has until March 17 to approve, disapprove or adjust the proposed surcharges.

Michigan law directs the MPSC to consult with the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Committee (ETSC) when reviewing the surcharge.  The ETSC developed an estimate of 0.93 as a statewide average of number of devices per person to enable counties to compute their 9-1-1 surcharge based on the population of the county.  The MPSC deems this estimate reasonable and applied this factor to the county population based on the 2000 U.S. Census.

Twenty-two Michigan counties filed applications with the MPSC estimating surcharge revenue for 2008 not in excess of their estimated 2007 revenue plus 2.7 percent.  The MPSC today approved these surcharges.  The 22 counties are:  Alger, Allegan, Antrim, Arenac, Branch, Clare, Clinton, Gladwin, Ingham, Iron, Kalkaska, Kent, Livingston, Luce, Mason, Montmorency, Oceana, Ontonagon, Otsego, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, and Wexford.

Forty-six Michigan counties submitted applications that included estimated 2008 surcharge revenue in excess of the county's 2007 surcharge revenue plus 2.7 percent.  The MPSC today adjusted those surcharges using the ETSC's 0.93 factor.  The 46 counties are: Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Lake, Lapeer, Lenawee, Mackinac, Mecosta, Menominee, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

The approved surcharge amounts for 2008 are listed by county on the MPSC's Web site.

Fourteen Michigan counties did not file applications with the MPSC and are not seeking a surcharge, and Leelanau County filed, but then withdrew, its application.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-15489