09-02-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-September 2, 2008 3415 WHEREAS, the North Dakota Legislature has authorized local governments to levy 911 fees on land and wireless phone lines in North Dakota and; WHEREAS, the citizens of Cass County have voted to authorize the collection of the 911 fee on phone lines in Cass County and; WHEREAS, the governing boards of the Cities of Fargo and West Fargo have adopted ordinances that establish a 911 fee on phone lines within those cities and; WHEREAS, North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6-05 restricts the fees generated by 911 ".. .solely for implementing, maintaining, or operating the emergency services communication system..." and; WHEREAS, North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6-01 defines an emergency services communication system as "Emergency services communication system" which means a statewide, countywide, or citywide radio system, land lines communication network, wireless service network, or enhanced 911 (E911) telephone system, which provides rapid public access for coordinated dispatching of services, personnel, equipment, and facilities for law enforcement, fire, medical, or other emergency services." and; WHEREAS, the Sixtieth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota amended North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6-10 to "ensure that fee proceeds collected under this chapter are expended in accordance with guidelines develop pursuant to section 57-40.6-12 and implement an accounting system sufficient to meet the requirements of section 57-40.6-05." and; WHEREAS, the Sixtieth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota amended North Dakota Century Code 57-40.6-12 to create, define membership, and establish duties of the Emergency Services Communications Coordinating (ESCC) Committee and; WHEREAS, the ESCC Committee was charged with the duty under NDCC 57-40.6-12 to "Develop guidelines regarding the allowable uses of the fee revenue collected under this chapter;" and; WHEREAS, the ESCC Committee recognized that "Every Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) has call-takers available for emergencies 24 hours per day 365 days per year, regardless of how many calls are received or what portion of their duties involve communications initiated by a 911 call. For these reasons, the guidelines encompass a fairly broad understanding of emergency communications." and; WHEREAS, the ESCC Committee did recognize that in some locations additional duties not related to emergency communications are done by the dispatch personnel and that the appropriate percentage of time that is spent on non-emergency communications duties be paid from funds other than 911 generated funds and;