09-02-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—September 2, 2014 4364 CASS COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE EXISTING EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS (9-1-1) FEE WHEREAS, the emergency services communication (9-1-1) system is critical to public safety in Cass County; and WHEREAS, the monthly fee on "assessed communications services" (telephone exchange access service, wireless service, active prepaid wireless service, and voice over internet protocol service) imposed pursuant to North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6 is essential to the operation and maintenance of the emergency services communication system (9-1-1); and WHEREAS, the County of Cass, City of Fargo, and the City of West Fargo each has separate monthly fees on "assessed communications services" (telephone exchange access service, wireless service, active prepaid wireless service, and voice over internet protocol service) imposed pursuant to North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6; and WHEREAS, the County of Cass, City of Fargo, and the City of West Fargo are all members of the Red River Regional Dispatch Center and jointly provide funds for the operation and upgrade of the center; and WHEREAS, it would be more efficient to administer one common fee throughout Cass County for the entities mentioned above and for the telephone exchange access service, wireless service, active prepaid wireless service, and voice over internet protocol service providers; and WHEREAS the current fee limited to $1.00 ($1.50 in the City of West Fargo) per month per "communication connection" (telephone access line, wireless access line, unique voice over internet protocol service connection, or functional equivalent uniquely identifiable by a number, internet address, or other designation) was implemented by resolution of the Cass County Commission, City of Fargo, and the City of West Fargo and approved by the voters of the mentioned entities; WHEREAS the revenue from the current fee is insufficient to adequately fund the maintenance and operations and upgrade of the emergency services communications (9-1- 1) system, it is proposed that the fee maximum be increased to $1.50 per "assessed communication service" however the county commission could impose an amount less, but no more than that maximum; and WHEREAS, North Dakota Century Code section 57-40.6-02 provides a process of imposing 9-1-1 fees by governing board resolution and approval of the voters. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cass County Board of Commissioners proposes an increase of the existing monthly fee, and directs that the following measure be placed on the county ballot for the statewide primary election scheduled for November 4, 2014 and shall become effective January 1, 2015.