WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ROADS - Parish officials say Pointe Coupee's 911 dispatch center has been in its own state of emergency for quite some time and annually struggles with funding shortfalls.

According to the 2011-12 operating budget for the parish's 911 system, it took over $819,000 to run the system during the year. However, the tax-based system that funds the center generated only $498,000 in revenues during that period.

The more than $300,000 budget shortfall was relieved through supplements from the police jury and the sheriff's office.

Keith Davidson, the former chairman of the 911 Commission, presented a new funding plan to the police jury in December.

Davidson said about $500,000 could be generated annually if every business and residence in the parish pays a $50 per year 911 user fee.