02-22-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-February 22, 2000 2095 7. COMMISSION POLICY MANUAL, Amend Section 4.00. Board Appointment MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to amend Commission Policy Manual Section 4.00, Advisory Boards, by appointing Lisa Johnson of Casselton to the Housing Authority of Cass County to fill a vacancy for the term ending July 1,2003, caused by the death of Leland Timm of West Fargo. Motion carried unanimously. 8. CONTRACT APPROVAL, Justice Benefits. Inc. MOTION, passed Mrs. Quick moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve the following contract submitted by respective department head and portfolio commissioner, subject to state's attorney approval; and authorize the chairman to sign: Justice Benefits, Inc. for providing assistance to Cass County in obtaining federal financial participation funding. Motion carried unanimously. 9. RESOLUTION #2000-1, 911 excise tax Question on ballot County Auditor Michael Montplaisir said in 1988 the county voted to implement a 911 excise tax for areas outside the cities of Fargo and West Fargo. He said the vote was approved the tax initially for six years and the county commission reimposed the tax for an additional six years as allowed by state law. He said the tax expires on December 1 st of this year unless the county approves the tax for an additional six years and the question needs to be placed on the ballot. States Attorney Birch Burdick agrees that the 911 question needs to be presented on the ballot for voters. Mr. Burdick did contact the Attorney General's office regarding this issue and if he hears differently, he will inform the commission. Mr. Montplaisir said the current 911 fee is $.50 which generates $74,000 in fees. $12,000 is paid in line charges to telephone companies and the remainder is paid to the City of Fargo for dispatch services. The county is working with the City of Fargo on expanding dispatch service for non-emergency calls to the Sheriff's Department. Ifthe county expands the dispatch contract with the City of Fargo, the $.50 will not cover the additional costs; Mr. Montplaisir suggested the fee be raised to $1.00. He also suggested the 911 question be placed on the primary ballot so the issue is decided before the budgeting process begins. Emergency Manager Glenn Ellingsberg discussed the history of the 911 fee and said Cass County has not yet completed signage throughout the county. If the fee is approved at $1.00 the county will be able to improve signage as well as updating the GIS system to better locate rural residences in emergency situations. MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to approve Resolution #2000-1, Adopting Excise Tax for Emergency Service Communications System for E-911.