As more people move toward using disposable phones and other high-tech devices, the less money there is going into the fund that helps support county communication centers.

The government levies a $1.25 per month tax on landlines, and a $1 per month tax on cellphones to fuel the fund to help offset 911 centers.It also charges $1 on the disposable phones, but that's just a one-time levy, charged when the phone is sold.The diminishing funding stream for 911 operating expenses surfaced Wednesday at a Schuylkill County commissioners' workshop meeting, when county finance director Paul Buber asked to shift $350,000 from a 911 center reserve account to pay bills for the last half of the year."The actual shortfall is $600,000," he said in a telephone interview early Thursday.The phone fees, from monthly surcharges on cell and landline phones and a one-time tax on disposable phones, are collected under a 1990 law and distributed to counties by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.The state's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The county's fiscal year goes from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31."For the current fiscal year, the impact is $350,000 because it will affect the first six months," he said. "It will also impact next year by $300,000."From what we can tell right now, we should be OK for this year. The concern is how will it impact next year, 2015. We'll have to watch very carefully," Buber said.The county counted on $491,000 on a quarterly basis from PEMA. But the agency notified the county it would be sending $342,000 for July through September, creating a $150,000 shortfall.For the fourth quarter, the county anticipated $491,000, but will be getting $392,000, again falling short on revenue by $150,000.The cell/disposable phone tax accounts for 38 percent of the 911 center's funding.The landline fee accounts for 13 percent, and the county allocation from general fund provides about 46 percent. The other 3 percent comes from a combination of a couple of minor sources, Buber said.Also on Wednesday, commissioners took action on several Community Development Block Grant matters:As requested by Michelle O'Connell of the grant writer's office, they approved a resolution approving a modification to the 2013 CDBG program canceling a New Philadelphia project and moving the $18,500 allocated to the Port Carbon Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps project.Commissioners also approved an agreement with Schuylkill Community Action to administer a housing rehabilitation project in Pine Grove Township as part of its CDBG program.Commissioners also approved two additions to contracts: One with Mullin & Lonergan Associates for technical services associated with the CDBG program. The change will increase the contract by $15,000 and extend it until Dec. 31.The other addition is also with Mullin & Lonergan and includes technical services associated with the CDBG program. The change will increase the contract by $5,500.In other matters, commissioners at the request of Melissa Chewey of the county Drug & Alcohol program approved a contract addendum for 2013-2014 for White Deer Run, increasing its contract cap from $198,500 to $223,000.