08-10-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-August 10, 2006 3092 911 service fund Mr. Montplaisir provided a summary of the 911 fund activity and budget. The fund receives revenues from a $1 surcharge on land and cell telephones. The surcharge is used mainly to pay the county's share of the Red River Regional Dispatch Center (RRRDC) operation and for the state-wide upgrade to the Enhanced 911 system for cellular service. Mr. Montplaisir said 911 revenues have decreased for two reasons: with annexation of county land into Fargo and West Fargo, the fees are now distributed to the cities rather than the county; and in the past, phone companies had difficulty determining whether properties were within or outside city limits, but with improvements to mapping and our GIS system, it was discovered that the county may have been receiving revenue that belonged to a city. He said equipment is becoming outdated and needs to be replaced and since revenues do not cover costs for 2007, he included an $115,000 transfer from the general fund which will only be done if necessary. He noted that the county may receive some funds back from the dispatch center due to operational savings and some funds from the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) due to cost savings in the state-wide upgrade. The 911 contract covers the county's share of the RRRDC budget of $339,333 and is divided among Fargo, Moorhead, Cass and Clay Counties. Mr. Montplaisir discussed the possibility of West Fargo becoming a member of the dispatch center. The other large expense is the upgrade to the 911 system and through NDACo, a state-wide effort is underway to improve the equipment necessary for phone companies to supply 911 centers the ability to locate cell phone calls. The joint powers agreement requires the county to pay 40% of the wireless revenue to NDACo for this project and after all the towers are upgraded, the county may only pay 10%. Mr. Vanyo will visit with the sheriff, who sits on the 911 board, to discuss the possibility of lowering the percentage the county is required to contribute. He also will continue to encourage the City of West Fargo to complete a financial analysis and to consider joining the regional dispatch center. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the 2007 preliminary budget for the 911 Fund in the amount of $402,117. Discussion: Mr. Pawluk feels approval of this motion may be premature and if the county waits, this may be an incentive for the City of West Fargo to become part of the dispatch center and for the state to lower the county's percentage paid toward wireless fees for the enhancement projects. Mr. Wagner does not see either issue being resolved this year and feels it is in the county's best interest to approve the budget. Mr. Montplaisir does not foresee the percentage changing for 2007 as it will take some time to study the issue. Mr. Vanyo said with the exception of the upgrade expenses, the 911 contract fee has remained constant over the last three years. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Document preservation fund and NDRIN fund The document preservation fund is the result of fees collected in the County Recorder's Office when documents are filed and is used to enhance and maintain permanent records in the office.