Butler County commissioners are supporting this year’s legislative priorities of the state county commissioners association, including seeking increased funding for 911 and mental health services.

Commissioners adopted a resolution at their June 3 meeting supporting the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s priorities, including a request for the General Assembly to increase the 911 surcharge added to phone bills from $1.95 a month to $2.20 per month.

“Increasing the 911 funding has been and continues to be our top priority,” said Commissioner Kim Geyer.

All counties in the state subsidize their 911 funding, and Butler County funds 15% of its 911 costs, she said. The commissioners allocated $699,890 for operating the 911 system in this year’s budget.

“Our 911 Center has increasing costs just like any others that include expenses related to personnel, cybersecurity and necessary capital improvements to the system that enable it to be effective and efficient when someone picks up the phone to call 911 for help,” Geyer said.

She said the sought after increase would ensure the sustainability of the county’s emergency communication services and help address statewide funding shortfalls.

The $1.95 surcharge, which was set in 2023 and has been extended through 2028, generated $380 million in 2025, covering about 80% of statewide 911 system costs. Counties pay for costs not covered by the surcharge. County 911 systems handled 13.9 million calls statewide in 2025, according to the association.

The commissioners’ resolution also seeks a $40 million increase for the community mental health system.

The $40 million request consists of $20 million in county mental health base funding to support community-based mental health services and another $20 million dedicated to county mental health crisis services to support county crisis responses systems.

Counties receive mental health service funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services through the Human Services Block Grant Program.

Base funding is used for outpatient counseling, case management, psychiatric services and crisis intervention.

Crisis funding includes mobile crisis teams, walk-in crisis centers and coordination with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and emergency services to stabilize individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

Block grants also provide funding services for people who are uninsured or lack adequate insurance to obtain treatment and supports when other coverage options are unavailable, supportive housing programs, residential services and assistance designed to help individuals live safely and independently in the community.

The association said counties are gathering information about how they spend mental health funding to alleviate concerns raised by lawmakers.