Internet Usage Racks Up An $8,432 Monthly Cell Phone Bill

Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies will no longer be allowed to stream videos and other internet content on their County-issued cell phones. The order came after the Sheriff’s Office racked up thousands of dollars in fees from AT&T for data usage.

Fayette County Auditor Cindy Havelka said her staff began noticing the increasing charges several months ago. She reported the situation to the Commissioners Court at their meeting Thursday, May 13.

The Sheriff’s Office bill for cellular phone service amounted to $8,432.44 this month. That’s nearly $3,000 more than the April bill and more than double what it was three months ago. In May of last year, the Sheriff’s Office cell phone bill was just $2,040.13.

Lt. David Beyer of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said the deputies responsible for the overages thought that the County was on an unlimited data plan.

“The deputies were not aware they didn’t have unlimited cell phone data,” Beyer said. “After it was brought to our attention, it was addressed. Now the officers are aware they don’t have unlimited data.”

Havelka said her office spoke with AT&T and explained that the officers didn’t know their phone plans had a data cap. She said AT&T agreed to give the County a $15,000 credit to cover some of the cost.