HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2003-011aRESOLUTION NO. ~(~J)"~-
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2004 FINANCIAL PLAN (BUDGET)
OF THE DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT, PURSUANT TO TEXAS HEALTH & SAFETY
CODE §772.309 AS AMENDED; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Denton has been presented the 2004 Draft
Financial Plan (Budget) of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District for approval, in accordance with Tex.
Health & Safety Code §772.309 (Vernon 1999) as amended; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Denton hereby approves the 2004
Fiscal Year Draft Financial Plan (Budget) of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District attached to this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this thet ,_., day of ,2003.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
BY:
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
DENCO AREA 9" 1 "1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
DRAFT
FINANCIAL PLAN
DENCO AREA 9-1-'1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 1
PREFACE
To:
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
P.O. Box 293058, Lcwisville, Texas 75029-3058
Phone/TTY: 972-221-0911 · FAX: 972-420-0709 · Web Page:ww.denco.org
Denco Area 911 District Participating Jurisdictions
Date: June 5, 2003
Subject: Denco Area 911 District Fiscal Year 2003 Financial Plan
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District's Board of Managers, at its June 5, 2003 regular meeting, approved the
Draft" Denco Area 9-1-1 District Fiscal Year 2004 Financial Plan and authorized district staff to forward it
to all participating jurisdictions for consideration.
Fiscal year 2003 has been a very productive year for the Denco Area 9-1-1 District. Major
accomplishments during the fiscal year includes the following:
The district replaced its entire 9-1-1 network and database systems with more effective and
efficient systems. Included were the installation of three controller switches that provide for better
call distribution as well as better network diversity and redundancy. The district also moved its
wireless and wireline database systems to a more modem platform that also provides for better
dependability.
The district also helped lead the state and nation with the deployment of Phase II Enhanced 9-1-1
Wireless Services. Phase II provides telecommunicators with a close proximity location of 9-1-1
callers using wireless (cellular) telephones. Denco has been preparing for this deployment since
1997. The technology has already proven to be effective in assisting call takers locate wireless
9-1-1 callers during emergency situations.
Distdct staff also participated in the negotiations of agreements with both wireless and landline
carriers that provide financial stability for all emergency communication districts in Texas.
Even though the fiscal year 2003 financial plan includes a deficit budget of over $1,000,000, the district's
financial position continues to remain sound. Denco has planned for the expenditures associated with the
deployment of the new systems and used reserve equipment and network dollars to fund the projects.
The enclosed 2004 financial plan provides for additional enhancements to the current network that will
minimize outages during a potential disaster event. It also provides for the funding of additional public
education programs relating to the deployment of Phase II services, additional training opportunities for
telecommunicators, enhancement of map data and for the fine-tuning of the new systems.
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District is here to serve its member jurisdictions. The district's mission is "to assist
its member jurisdictions respond to police, fire and medical emergency calls by providing an efficient,
effective enhanced 9-1-1 emergency telecommunications system'. Denco continues to provide more
services each year at the same service fee rate since its beginning in 1987.
Please call on any board member or the district staff if you have any comments or questions concerning
this proposed budget. The district's executive director, Mike Pedigo, would welcome the opportunity to
make a presentation to your governing body regarding this budget or any other Denco related matter.
Again, thanks for your support of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Jack Miller
Chairman, Board of Managers
1075 Princeton Street, Lewisville, Texas 75067
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
P.O. Box 293058, Lewisville, Texas 75029-3058
Phone/TTY: 972-221-0911 · FAX: 972-420-0709 · Web Page:ww.denco.org
Tn:Denco Area 911 District Participating Jurisdictions
Date: June S, 2003
Subject:Denco Area 911 District Fiscal Year 2004 Financial Plan
Enclosed is a "draft" copy of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District Fiscal Year 2004 Financial Plan for your jurisdiction's
consideration. Chapter 772.300, Texas Health and Safety Code, requires emergency communication districts to
send a draft budget to participating jurisdiedons seeking comments. After a 45-day review and comment period, the
district's board ofmanagers will consider approval ora final budget.
Denco's draft financial plan provides for the continued provision of state-of-the-art enhanced 9-1-1 services at the
same rate that Denco has collected from district residents since its inception in 1987. The emergency service fee,
collected by the telephone service providers is $0.27 per month for residential, $0.71 per month for business service
and $1.13 per month for PBX trunks. This fee is equal to three percent ofthe 1987 base telephone rate. Danco
continues to provide excellent services to its member jurisdictions at one of the lowest rates in the state. In addition
to the emergency service fee collected by local telephone service providers, the State of Texas collects $0.50 per
month per wireless telephone. Those fees are remitted to the state. The state then sends a portion ofthe wireless
fund to Deaco based on the district's percent ofthe total population of Texas.
The 76t~ Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1984 which defined the budget approval process for Chapter 772.300
series emergency communication districts. The following documents are included in Section 5, the Appendix ofthis
financial plan, defining the budget approval process:
A copy of the Denco Area 9-1-1 Disltict Mission, Values and Goals Statement.
A copy of the section in House Bill 1984 that pertains to budget approval.
A copy of a resolution approved by the Denco Area 9-1-1 District Board of Managers defining procedures
for consideration and approval of a budget.
A copy of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300; the statute under which Denco operates.
Even though it is not required for your governing body to vote on thc budget, Denco requests that you review the
budget and provide feedback prior to the August 7, 2003 district board of managers' meeting. At that time the board
will approve a final budget for fiscal year 2004, which begins October 1, 2003. Ifthere are no changes from the
draft budget, the district will notify its members that the budget is approved. If there are any changes, the district
will request each jurisdiction to approve the final budget and a copy ofthat budget will be sent to the governing
bodies ofparticipating jurisdictions for consideration.
If, at any time, you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to call me at
972) 221-0911.
Thanks for your continued support of the Deeco Area 9-1-1 District.
Mike Pedigo
Executive Director
1075 Princeton Street, Lewisville, Texas 75067
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 2
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Backaround Information
What is E9-1-17
Enhanced Nine-One-One (E9-1-1) is a single, easy-to-remember number used when
reporting emergencies to fire, police and emergency medical service providers. The
E9-1-1 system, operational in the Denco Area 9-1-1 District, is designed to
automatically route any 9-1-1 call, placed from a telephone instrument (including
wireless) within the district's geographical boundaries, to the proper public safety
answering point (PSAP) responsible for dispatching emergency services to the caller.
9-1-1 Terminolo,q¥
9-1-1. Nine-one-one. An easy-to-remember, easy-to-dial three-digit emergency
telephone number developed to provide citizens a reliable, fast and convenient way
to access fire, police, or medical service providers in the event of an emergency.
District. Denco Area 9-1-1 District. The entity that provides enhanced 9-1-1 service
in Denton County. A board of managers appointed by participating jurisdictions
governs the district. The distdct serves Denton County and that portion of Carrollton
in Dallas County.
E9-1-1. Enhanced 9-1-1. The system that is operational in Denton County
providing SR, ANI and ALI (defined below).
GIS. Geographic Information Systems. The technology used to develop the
mapped display of Denton County.
PSAP. Public Safety Answering Point. The location of the equipment used to
answer 9-1-1 emergency calls. The following are the twelve (12) PSAPs that are
currently capable of answering 9-1-1 calls in the Denco Area 9-1-1 District:
City of Carrollton Police Department
City of Denton Police Department
Denton County Shedff's Office
Town of Flower Mound Police Department
City of Highland Village Police Department
City of Roanoke Police Department
City of Lake Dallas Police Department
City of Lewisville Police Department
City of The Colony Police Department
University of North Texas Police Department
Texas Woman's University Police Department
Denco Backup and Training PSAP
SR. Selective Routing. The system that provides automatic routing of 9-1-1 calls
based on the caller's location to the appropriate PSAP. The caller is not required to
determine which public safety agency to call.
ANI. Automatic Number Identification. The feature that provides the caller's
telephone number on a console at the PSAP.
ALI. Automatic Location Identification. The feature that provides the caller's name
and address on a computer monitor at the PSAP.
Database. The information accompanying a 9-1-1 call at the PSAP. The
information provided is the caller's name, address and telephone number, as well
as the emergency service providers designated to respond to the caller's address.
Public Safety Telecommunicator. The individual answering the 9-1-1 calls; trained
to communicate with persons seeking emergency assistance and with agencies and
individuals providing such assistance.
Phase I. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) mandate to the wireless
telephone industry and 9-1-1 requiring the proper routing of wireless 9-1-1 calls to
PSAPs and the provision of the callers' ANI to the telecommunicators.
Phase I1. The feature that provides the approximate geographic location of wireless
callers, in addition to the FCC's Phase I enhancements.
IWS. Integrated Workstation. The computerized 9-1-1 answering equipment
provided by Denco. The equipment has the capacity to include dispatcher tools in
addition to the 9-1-1 function, such as computer-aided dispatch, paging, mapping,
etc. Denco has 52 integrated workstations at its 12 PSAPS.
Benefits of E9-1-1
The E9-1-1 system has enhanced the ability of emergency service providers to save
the lives and property of citizens in the Denco Area 9-1-1 District. Some of the direct
benefits of the emergency communications system provided by Denco are the
following:
Only one three-digit number to remember in an emergency situation.
The 9-1-1 call is routed to the proper agency responsible for dispatching help to
the caller.
Trained telecommunicators answer 9-1-1 cells. (In the Denco Area 9-1-1 District,
telecommunicators are trained to provide emergency medical dispatch, thus
reducing response time for medical emergencies.)
Telecommunicators have the equipment and training necessary to communicate
with hearing/speech impaired callers.
The caller's name, address and telephone number, as well as the proper fire,
police and emergency medical service designated to respond to the caller's
address, is automatically provided to the telecommunicetor, thus reducing total
response time. In the event the caller is unable to speak, the telecommunicator
has the ability to dispatch help to the caller's location that is provided by the
E9-1-1 system.
ANI/ALI information provides a means to control and reduce prank calls.
The public education programs associated with E9-1-1 promote citizen
awareness and involvement with emergency service providers.
The E9-1-1 system enhances local government's ability to meet the ever-growing
public expectation of emergency services created by popular television
programming.
The E9-1-1 system is designed to allow PSAPs the ability to directly transfer a
caller to another public safety agency or poison control center.
The E9-1-1 system will identify calls from wireless phones, advising the
telecommunicator to ask proper questions to determine the location of the
emergency. Phase I provides the caller's telephone number so that the
telecommunicator has the ability to reconnect if the call is terminated. Phase II
provides additional location information to telecommunicators.
The system has the ability to identify telephone companies serving 9-1-1 callers,
thus streamlining the process for reconciling routing and database errors.
Structure of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District
Le.qislation
During its 1985 legislative session, the 89th Texas Legislature passed Article 1432e
Section 772, Texas Health and Safety Code), Emergency Telephone Number Act,
which provided for the creation, administration, expansion, funding and dissolution of
emergency communication districts in certain counties in Texas. The Emergency
Telephone Number Act is the legislation under which the Denco Area 9-1-1 District
operates.
Purpose
Section 772.302, Texas Health and Safety Code states the purpose of the Act to be the
following:
To establish the number 9-1-1 as the primary emergency telephone number for use
by certain local governments in this state and to encourage units of local
governments and combinations of those units of local government to develop and
improve emergency communication procedures and facilities in a manner that will
make possible the quick response to any person calling the telephone number 9-1-1
seeking police, fire, medical, rescue and other emergency services.
Creation of Denco Area 9-1-1 District
On August 8, 1987, Denton County held a special election to confirm the creation of the
Emergency Communication District of Denton County and authorize a 9-1-1 emergency
service fee, not to exceed three (3%) percent of the base rate of the principal service
supplier per service year per month, to be charged by the district for the purpose of
establishing E9-1-1 in Denton County. By a margin of 13,086 to 3,024, the voters
favored the creation of the emergency communication district. After the special
election, the city and county governing bodies within Denton County passed resolutions
of participation. The resolutions stated that the city or county would become a
participating jurisdiction in the district pursuant to the provisions of the Emergency
Telephone Number Act.
The participating jurisdictions of the district ara the following:
Argyle Hackberry
Aubrey Hebron
Bartonville Hickory Craek
Carrollton Highland Village
Clark Justin
Copper Canyon Krugerville
Corinth Krum
Corral City Lake Dallas
Cross Roads Lakewood Village
Denton Lewisville
Double Oak Lincoln Park
Flower Mound Unincorporated Denton County
Little Elm
Marshall Craek
Northlake
Oak Point
Pilot Point
Ponder
Roanoke
Sanger
Shady Shoras
The Colony
Trophy Club
On December 8, 1987, the district's board of managers orderad the levy and collection
of the emergency fee to commence with the January 1988 billing cycle. The board
orderad the service fee, collected by the telephone companies, to be charged at a rate
of thrae (3%) percent of the base rate of GTE Southwest. The emergency service fee
for basic levels of telephone service charged to customers in the district was capped at
27 for rasidential customers, $.71 for business customers and $1.13 for trunks. (The
same cap remains in effect today.) On June 28, 1988, the board of managers named
the Emergency Communications District of Denton County, Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Structura
Board of Manaaers.
Area 9-1-1 District.
The board of managers is the governing body for the Denco
The county, participating cities and the Denton County Fira
Chiefs Association appoint the board. The currant board of managers is made up of
the following members:
Board Member
Mr. Jack Miller,Chairman
Mayor Olive Stephens, Vice Chairman
Mr. Harlan Jefferson, Secretary
Mr. Lewis Jue
Chief Bruce Varner
Mr. Melvin Willis
Reoresents
Denton County Commissioners Court
Participating Cities
Participating Cities
Denton County Commissioners Court
Fire Chiefs Association
Verizon, Advisory
Board members serve staggered two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment.
The Emergency Telephone Number Act states "the board shall manage, control and
administer the district. The board may adopt rules for the operation of the district."
The legislation also allows the board to appoint a director of communications for the
district who serves as its general manager. The director, with approval from the
board, provides for the service necessary to carry out the purposes of the Emergency
Telephone Number Act.
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District's staff is responsible for performing all the duties that
may be required for the district to accomplish its mission within the framework
provided by the board. The "Draft" Denco Area 9-1-1 District Fiscal Year 2004
Financial Plan provides for eleven full time staff members that provide the planning,
operations and maintenance functions for the district. The organizational structure of
the district includes three direct service program areas that serve the 9-1-1 PSAPs
and emergency service providers within the district. Included in the organizational
chart are names of staff members in each program area.
BoardofManagersI
Goals
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District has the following goals that support its endeavor to carry out its
mission.
Goal 1:
Goal 2:
Goal 3:
Goal 4:
Goal 5:
Goal 6:
To provide the policy, direction and control mechanisms necessary
to assure that the Denco Area 9-1-1 District accomplishes its
mission within the financial resources provided.
To manage the Denco ,Area 9-1-1 District in an objective, efficient,
effective and responsive manner.
To increase public awareness of 9-1-1 issues and promote the
proper use of the 9-1-1 system.
To provide training programs which enable Public Safety Answering
Point (PS,AP) personnel to effectively use the 9-1-1 system.
To provide and maintain a dependable, state-of-the-art enhanced
9-1-1 network.
To assure that PSAPs have the most accurate, reliable and
useable data at all times.
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 3
FINANCIAL PLAN SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF COST CLASSIFICATIONS
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004 FINANCIAL PLAN SUMMARY
Strategic Overview
Fiscal Year 2003
During the current fiscal year, the Denco Area 9-1-1 District implemented the most
significant technological changes to its emergency communication system in Denton
County since the initial deployment of enhanced 9-1-1 services in August 1990. Denco
completed the first phase of building a 9-1-1 system that is moro robust and
dependable, using modern technology. Included in the deployment of new systems aro
the following:
Denco purchased and installed two new ECS 1000 PSAP Controllers. The
controllers are the switches that process the 9-1-1 calls throughout the district.
The two new controllers were placed at strategic locations and a third, existing
controller, was moved to a back-up site. The district was able to better balance
the call volume on the two switches and provide the platform for the installation of
the equipment necessary to re-route 9-1-1 calls to another ECS 1000 in the
event of a system failure.
The district replaced its entire network with more efficient, effective technology.
The moro than 350 new circuits are moro diversely routed and have moro
redundancy, therefore providing moro reliability.
Denco also consolidated its wireless and wireline enhanced 9-1-1 databases into
one distributed database platform. The new platform has duplicate network
connectivity and hardware located in different states. The system also has the
ability to access data from other databases housing 9-1-1 data.
Another significant technical accomplishment in 2003 was the deployment of Phase II
Enhanced Wireless 9-1-1 service. Phase II provides the approximate location of a
wireless telephone used to call 9-1-1. The district has been preparing for the
implementation of Phase II since 1997 with the development and deployment of its GIS
mapping systems. Denco was one of the first 9-1-1 administrative entities in the nation
to complete the deployment of Phase I1. Already, telecommunicators are using the
technology to help locate 9-1-1 callers.
Denco also participated as a member of a negotiating team representing emergency
communication districts across Texas. The cost recovery team successfully negotiated
five-year agreements with wireless carriers and SBC for the recovery of costs
associated with the deployment of Phase II enhanced 9-1-1 wireless services.
Fiscal Year 2003 has not only been technologically significant with the deployment of
new systems and enhancements to wireless services, it has also been financially
significant in that the current budget is estimated to end with a $1,103,379 deficit. The
deficit funds have been set-aside for several years to be used for the upgrade to its
systems and the deployment of Phase II technology. Even though the reserve funds
have been significantly reduced, the district continues to maintain adequate reserve
funds to remain financially stable as it plans for the future. Denco has no intention of
raising the service fee rate in the foreseeable future.
Fiscal Year 2004
After the significant investment in the deployment of new systems and Phase II technology in
fiscal year 2003, Denco plans to dedicate the majority of its financial and staff resources in 2004
to the fine-tuning of existing systems. The following are a few of the objectives that the Denco
Area 9-1-1 District plans to accomplish next fiscal year:
Install additional equipment and network that will allow district staffto re-route 9-1-1
calls to other equipment in the event of a system failure.
Enhance the interoperability between the.Deneo Area 9-1-1 District's emergency
communications systems and those of surrounding jurisdictions.
Evaluate future options for selective routing and database services.
Inform the public about the availability of Phase 11 enhanced wireless services and the
need to purchase equipment capable of providing telecommunicators with location
information.
Increase district presence at community fairs and events.
Introduce new 9-1-1 for Kids character, Cell Phone Sally, to pre-school and school-age
children.
Provide refresher training to telecommunicators and introduce the new tools provided by
Deneo that will assist them in providing the best service available.
Develop and provide classes required for intermediate TCLEOSE certification.
Update and correct GIS data, based on input from member jurisdictions and
discrepancies found in audit.
Review and update administrative policies and procedures.
Expenditures in the proposed Denco Area 9-1-1 Fiscal Year 2004 Financial Plan are estimated to
be 70 percent or $1,165,273 of the current budget. Following is a financial overview that
provides specific information regarding the proposed budget.
Financial Overview
Revenue Hi,qhli,qhts
Fiscal year 2003 is the first year that 9-1-1 service fee revenue for the Denco Area 9-1-1 District
is expected to be below the amount that was anticipated in the financial plan. The district
expects total revenue for 2003 to be approximately $87,000 or three percent below the amount
forecasted. Expenditures were adjusted to accommodate the decline in revenue.
The district has planned for a decrease in total revenue for fiscal year 2004. In the past three
years, Denco received refunds from vendors for services that were cancelled for various reasons
prior to the termination date. Fiscal year 2004 does not include any refunds.
Projected revenues in 2004 are anticipated to change by the following percentages as compared
to the estimated revenue for 2003:
Total service fee revenue is anticipated to increase by 2.06 percent. Wireline service fee
revenue is expected to decrease by 2.43 percent, which is offset by an estimated increase
in wireless service fee revenue of 7.0 percent.
Interest revenue is anticipated to decline by 60 percent due primarily to low interest rates
and the decrease in reserve funds.
Contract service revenue is not expected to change. Denco has a contract with Denton
County for addressing services.
Miscellaneous revenue is proposed to be zero. The district received a refund of $53,000
for unused services in 2003.
Expenditure Hi,qhliqhts
As stated already, the proposed expenditures in the district's 2004 budget are 70 percent of the
current year's budget. Many of the line items are proposed to remain the same or decrease.
Specific expenditures by budget category include the following:
Total p~ersonnel costs are proposed to increase by $22,074 or 2.65 percent. Included in
the increase is a salary adjustment for five ofthe district's eleven staff members. This
adjustment moves the employee within the existing salary range for that job category.
The remaining staffmembers will not receive increases in salaries. Other changes in
personnel include an increase in the cost for health insurance benefits.
Total operations costs are proposed to decrease by $7,023 or 5 percent.
Total direct service expenditures are proposed to decrease by 43 percent.
The 2004 budget includes an increase in its capital reserve of $90,155.
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
SUMMARY OF COST CLASIFICATIONS
Personnel Expenditures
Includes staffsalary, deferred compensation, health care and retirement benefits. Also included
are costs for state unemployment tax and employer's contribution to Medicare.
Ooerations Exoenditures
lncludes the costs associated with the business operations ofthe Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Communications
Includes telecommunication, printing/publishing and postage/shipping costs necessary for the
district to disseminate information.
Expendable Supplies
Includes the cost of routine expendable office supplies and commercially available sofl~vare.
Supplies also include the costs associated with service awards.
Contract Services
Includes the cost of legal fees, independent audit, Insurance, advertising and other contract
services such as equipment and software support for district equipment.
Building Services
Includes the cost of utilities, building services, maintenance and repair expense for the office and
training facility owned by district.
Memberships/Subscriptions
Includes individual and organizational memberships to professional organizations such as
National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials-International (APCO), and American Society for Training and
Development (ASTD). Includes subscriptions to newspapers, periodicals, information services,
technical support publications and the purchase or rental of books, videos and recordings.
Professional Development
Includes board and stafftraining and ongoing professional development through technical
training classes, seminars, conferences and symposiums.
Travel
Includes out of district travel costs such as, but not limited to mileage reimbursement, airfare,
food, lodging, local transportation, parking, telephone, etc. when such costs are reasonable and
when they are incurred in conjunction with board and authorized stafftravel out of the district.
Also included is reimbursement for the use of personal vehicles on official business within the
district.
Furniture and Equipment
Includes the purchase ofthe necessary furniture and fixtures as well as office equipment
necessary for the ongoing operations of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Direct Service Expenditures
Includes all non-recurring and recurring costs attributed directly to the operations, maintenance,
equipment, network and database required for the provision of 9-1-1 services. Also included
are direct costs for information system services, public education and training for
telecommunicators.
9-1-1 Systems
Includes operations, service and direct maintenance costs required for Denco to maintain the 9-1-
I systems. Also included are non-recurring and monthly recurring costs for network and
database services, language interpretation and other recurring services.
Information Systems
Includes operations, service and direct maintenance costs required to develop and distribute 9-1-
1 GIS and other database information to public safety answering points and emergency response
agencies. Included are costs for aerial photography files and the service and maintenance of
hardware and software required to provide the data.
Public Education/Training
Public Education includes operating costs required for the development, purchase and
distribution of public information and education materials for special focus groups and district at
large. Also includes costs for special functions such as National Telecommunicator Week
recognition and 9-1-1 Day activities.
Training expenditures include cost for materials, instructors, registration, etc.; associated with
meeting the training needs of 9-1-1 call takers. Also included are direct costs required for Denco
to sponsor telecommunicators from across the district to the State &Texas annual awards and
appreciation activities and recipients ofthe Dr. Allen Groff Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
Scholarship to the national EMD conference.
Capital Recovery Reserve Fund
Includes the reserve funds set aside for the replacement of 9-1-1 equipment and the purchase of
enhanced services.
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 4
ANITCIPATED REVENUES
PROPOSED EXPENDITURES
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Summary of Anticipated and Proposed Expenditures
Fiscal Year 2004
FY 2004 Percent of
Pro Bud
Anticipated Revenues
9-1-1 Service Fee Revenue $2,678,317
Interest Revenue $5,650
Contract Services Revenue $61,044
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expense) .$..Q
Total Anticipated Revenues 2,745,011
97.57%
0.21%
2.22%
0.00%
100.00%
Proposed Expenditures
Personnel
Operations
Direct Services
Capital Recovery Reserve
855,345
132,240
1,667,272
90,155
31.16%
4.82%
60.74%
3.28%
Total Proposed Expenditures $2,745,011 100.00%
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Anticipated Revenues
Fiscal Year 2004
FY2004 Percent of
Service Fee Revenue
Verizon
SBC
Sprint
CenturyTel
Other Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs)
Private Switch Service Fees
Telephone Company Administrative Charges
Telephone Company Uncollectible Charges
Telephone Company Adjustments
Net Wireline Service Fee Revenue
Wireless Service Fee Revenue
Total Service Fee Revenue
832,613
154,928
32,055
51,250
293,207
6,000
12,741)
1,644)
13,701 )
1,341,967
1.336.350
2,678,317
30.33%
5.64%
1.17%
1.87%
10.68%
0.22%
0.46%
0.06%
0.50%
48.89%
48.68%
97.57%
Non Service Fee Revenue
Interest Revenue
Contract Service Revenue
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expenses)
Total Non Service Fee Revenue
5,650
61,044
66,694
0.21%
2.22%
0.00%
2.43%
Total Revenue $2,745,011 100.00%
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Proposed Expenditures
Fiscal Year 2004
FY2004 Percent of
Bud
Personnel Expenditures
Salaries
Benefits
Operations Expenditures
Communications
Supplies
Contract Services
Building Services
Memberships/Subscriptions
Professional Development
Travel
Furniture and Equipment
Direct Service Expenditures
9-1-1 Systems
Operations
Network and Database Services
PS^P and Maintenance Equipment
Information Systems
Operations
Public Education/Training
Operations
Public Education Services
Training Services
Capital Recovery Reserve
Total
Total
Total
628,601
226,744
855,345
16,939
10,000
42,766
33,955
1,530
5,050
20,500
1,5oo
132,240
88,131
1,282,041
101,500
103,735
23,615
32,250
36,000
1,667,272
90,155
22.90%
8.26%
31.16%
0.62%
0.36%
1.56%
1.24%
0.06%
0.18%
0.75%
0.05%
4.82%
3.21%
46.70%
3.70%
3.78%
0.86%
1.17%
1.31%
60.74%
3.28%
2,745,011 100.00%
Deneo Aren 9=1-1 District Financinl Plan
l~e Year Pro ections ,
FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008
Beginning of Year Fund Balance $1~430,98~ $327~604 $417~75~ $650~491 $351~75( $fi16,728
Revenue
Net Service Fee Revenue $2,624,32~ $2,678,3H $2,731~88~ $2,786,521 $2,842,251 $2,899,09~
Interest Revenue $14~17~ $5,65( $4,10( $4,10( $4,10( $4,10£
Con~'act Services Revenue $61,04z $61,04z $61~04~ $61,04x $61,04, $61,04~
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expense) $53. I 1 ( ~ $( $( $( $£
Total Revenue $2~752~661 $2~745~011 $2~797~02~ $2~851~66-s $2~907~39! $2~964~24{
Expenditures
Personnel $777,351 $855,34.~ $900,14( $950,81 ." $1,006,142 $1,066,723
Operations $120,03( $132,24( $137,60.~ $144,76~ $152,365 $160,425
Direct Services $2,958,651 $1,667,271 $1,526,54' $2,054,831 $1,583,910 $1,613,811
Total Expenditures $3~856~03! $2~654~851 $2~:564~291 $3~150~411 $2~742~417 $2~840,962
Increase (Decrease) In Capital Recovery
Re~erve 151~103r379 $90~15: $232~73~ ($298~746) $164,979 $123~27~
End of Year Fund R~!anee ~327.604 ~17.75~ ~650.496 ~1.750 $$16.728 ~6~#.0~
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2004
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 5
APPENDIX
MISSION STATEMENT
HB 1984
RESOLUTIONS
DISTRICT LEGISLATION
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
Mission, Values and Goals Statement
Mission
The mission of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District is to assist its member jurisdictions
respond to police, fire and medical emergency calls by providing an efficient, effective
enhanced 9-1-1 emergency telecommunications system.
Values
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District pledges to uphold the following values:
Value 1: Control of district operations is the responsibility of member jurisdictions and the
board of managers.
Value 2: The district will provide the most reliable, efficient, cost-effective and proven
state-of-the-art technologies available at the lowest service fee rate possible.
Goals
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District has the following goals that support its endeavor to carry out its
mission.
Goal 1: To provide the policy, direction and control mechanisms necessary to assure that
the Denco Area 9-1-1 District accomplishes its mission within the financial
resources provided.
Goal 2: To manage the Denco Area 9-1-1 District in an objective, efficient, effective and
responsive manner.
Goal 3: To increase public awareness of 9-1-1 issues and promote the proper use of the
9-1-1 system.
Goal 4: To provide training programs which enable Public Safety Answering Point
PSAP) personnel to effectively use the 9-1-1 system.
Goal 5: To provide and maintain a dependable, state-of-the-art enhanced 9-1-1 network.
Goal 6: To assure that PSAPs have the most accurate, reliable and useable data at all
times.
H.B. No. 1984
AN ACT
relating to the consolidation of emergency communication districts and to the approval
of proposed budgets of certain emergency communication districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 771.001(3), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as
follows:
3) "Emergency communication district" means:
A) a public agency or group of public agencies acting jointly that
provided 9-1-1 service before September 1, 1987, or that had voted or contracted
before that date to provide that service; or
B) a district created under Subchapter B, C, [eF] D, or F, Chapter
772.
SECTION 2. Sections 772.309(b), (c), and (d), Health and Safety Code, are
amended to read as follows:
b) The board shall submit a draft of the orooosed bud(3et to the oovernino bodies of
the participatin,q jurisdictions not later than the 45th day before the date the board
adopts the bud,qet. The participatin,q jurisdictions shall review the proposed budpet and
submit any comments reoardino the budoet to the board.
c) If the qovernin,q body of a county, municioalitv, or other oarticioatino iurisdiction
does not approve or disaoorove the budoet before the 61st day after the date the body
received the proposed bud,qet for review, the budoet is aooroved bv operation of law.
A revision of the budget must be approved in the same manner as the budget.
e~ [(s-)] As soon as practicable after the end of each district fiscal year, the director
shall prepare and present to the board and to each participating jurisdiction in writing a
sworn statement of all money received by the district and how the money was used
during the preceding fiscal year. The report must show in detail the operations of the
district for the fiscal year covered by the report,
d-)] The board shall have an independent financial audit of the district performed
annually.
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
RESOLUTION
DEFINING THE DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT BUDGET APPROVAL POLICY
WHEREAS, the Denco Area 9-1-1 Distdct was created under Texas Health and Safety Code
and the voters of Denton County to design, implement and operate a 9-1-1 system for all
participating jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Managers is appointed by participating jurisdictions to manage,
control and administer the district; and
WHEREAS, under the direction of the Board of Managers, the executive director prepares an
annual budget that must be approved by the board, the commissioners court and the majority of
participating cities; NOW,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DENCO AREA 9-t-1 DISTRICT BOARD OF
MANAGERS THAT:
1. The Denco Area 9-1-1 District approved budget shall include specific revenue and
expenditure projections by department. Budget departments as defined in district's
annual audit include service fee revenue, interest revenue and miscellaneous
revenue. Expenditure departments include personnel services, operations, direct
services, capital outlay and debt service. The board, at its discretion, may add or
delete budget departments.
2. The executive director shall submit to the Board of Managers requests for
amendments, revisions or modifications to the district's annual budget that require an
increase in any budget department's expenditures in excess of five percent of the
total department budget. Any increase of expenditures in excess of the approved
department budget, up to five percent, shall be offset by a decrease of an equal
amount in another department budget.
3. Without limiting the Board of Managers authority under Section 772, Texas Health
and Safety Code, the Board of Managers may approve amendments, revisions or
modifications to the District's annual budget as deemed reasonable and necessary
as long as such budget amendments, revisions or modifications do not require that
the total expenditures budgeted exceed the amount previously approved and
adopted by the Board of Managers, the Denton County Commissioners Court and
the majority of participating cities' governing bodies.
APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 6th day of April 2000.
Chairman, Board of Managers
Secretary, Board of Managers
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
RESOLUTION
DEFINING PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPOVAL OF A BUDGET
WHEREAS, Sections 772.309(b)&(c), Texas Health and Safety Code have been amended by the
Texas Legislature to specify certain procedures for the consideration and approval of a budget by the
Board and governing bodies of participating jurisdictions.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT BOARD OF
MANAGERS:
The Board's procedures for consideration and approval of a budget shall include the
following:
1. Not later than the 45u' day before the Board adopts a budget, the Executive Director on
behalf of the Board will submit a draft ofthe proposed budget to each of the governing
bodies ofthe participating jurisdictions. In a transmittal letter accompanying the draft of
the proposed budget, the Executive Director will include a statement requesting that the
governing bodies of each of the participating jurisdictions review the draft of the
proposed budget and submit any comments to the Board prior to or on the date the budget
is scheduled for consideration and adoption by the Board.
2. Once the Board adopts the budget, the Executive Director on behalf of the Board will
within three days either l) send a letter to each of the governing bodies of the
participating jurisdictions stating that the Board adopted the proposed budget without any
changes or 2) send a copy ofthe budget adopted by the Board and include in a letter the
differences between the proposed and adopted budget. In the letter to the governing
bodies of the participating jurisdictions, the Executive Director will include a statement
requesting approval ofthe Board's adopted budget by the governing bodies of
participating jurisdictions within sixty days of receipt.
APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 2nd day of December 1999.
Chairman, Board of Managers
Secretary, Board of Managers
SUBCHAPTER D. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS: COUNTIES WITH
POPULATION OVER 20,000
772.301. Short Title
This subchapter may be cited as the Emergency Telephone Number Act.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.302. Purpose
It is the purpose of this subchapter to establish the number 9-1-1 as the primary
emergency telephone number for use by certain local governments in this state and to
encourage units of local government and combinations of those units to develop and
improve emergency communication procedures and facilities in a manner that will make
possible the quick response to any person calling the telephone number 9-1-1 seeking
police, tire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services. To this purpose the
legislature finds that:
1) it is in the public interest to shorten the time required for a citizen to request and
receive emergency aid;
2) there exist thousands of different emergency telephone numbers throughout the
state, and telephone exchange boundaries and central office service areas do not
necessarily correspond to public safety and political boundaries;
3) a dominant part of the state's population is located in rapidly expanding
metropolitan areas that generally cross the boundary lines of local jurisdictions and
often extend into two or more counties; and
4) provision of a single, primary three-digit emergency number through which
emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained would provide a significant
contribution to law enfomement and other public safety efforts by making it less difficult
to notify public safety personnel quickly.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.303. Definitions
In this subchapter:
1) "Board" means the board of managers of a district.
2) "Director" means the director of communication for a district.
3) "District" means an emergency communication district created under this
subchapter.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.304. Application of Subchapter
a) This subchapter applies only to a county with a population of more than 20,000 or
to a group of two or more contiguous counties each with a population of 20,000 or more
in which an emergency communication district was created under Chapter 288, Acts of
the 69th Legislature, Regular Session, 1985, before January 1, 1988, or to a public
agency or group of public agencies that withdraws from participation in a regional plan
under Section 771.058(d).
b) This subchapter does not affect the authority of a public agency to operate under
another law authorizing the creation of a district in which 9-1-1 service is provided.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by ^cts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1405, § 32, eft. Sept. 1, 1999.
772.305. Additional Territory
a) If a municipality that is part of a district annexes territory that is not part of the
district, the annexed territory becomes part of the district.
b) A public agency located in whole or part in a county adjoining the district, by
resolution adopted by its governing body and approved by the board of the district, may
become part of the district and subject to its benefits and requirements.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.306. Board of Managers
a) A district is governed by a board of managers.
b) If the most populous municipality in the district has a population of more than
140,000, the board consists of:
1) one member for each county in the district appointed by the commissioners court
of each county;
2) two members appointed by the governing body of the most populous municipality
in the district;
3) one member appointed by the governing body of the second most populous
municipality in the district;
4) one member appointed as provided by this section to represent the other
municipalities located in whole or part in the district; and
5) one member appointed by the principal service supplier.
c) If Subsection (b) does not apply to a district, the board consists of:
1) the following members representing the county or counties in the district:
A) if the district contains only one county, two members appointed by the
commissioners court of the county;
B) if the district originally contained only one county but contains more than one
county when the appointment is made, two members appointed by the commissioners
court of the county in which the district was originally located, and one member
appointed by the commissioners court of each other county in the district; or
C) if the district originally contained more than one county and the district contains
moro than one county when the appointment is made, one member appointed by the
commissioners court of each county in the district;
2) two members appointed jointly by all the participating municipalities located in
whole or part in the district;
3) one member appointed jointly by the volunteer firo departments operating wholly
or partly in the district, with the appointment process coordinated by the county firo
marshal or marshals of the county or counties in the district; and
4) one member appointed by the principal service supplier.
d) The board member appointed by the principal service supplier is a nonvoting
member. If the board is appointed under Subsection (c), the principal service supplier
may waive its right to appoint the board member and designate another service supplier
serving all or part of the district to make the appointment.
e) The board member appointed under Subsection (b)(4) is appointed by the
mayor's council established to administer urban development block grant funds, if one
exists in the district. Otherwise, the member is appointed by the other members of the
board on the advice and recommendation of the governing bodies of all the
municipalities represented by the member.
f) The initial board members appointed by municipalities under Subsection (c)(2) aro
appointed by all the municipalities located in whole or part in the district.
g) Board members are appointed for staggered terms of two years, with as near as
possible to one-half of the members' terms expiring each year.
h) A board member may be removed from office at will by the entity that appointed
the member.
i) A vacancy on the board shall be filled for the romainder of the term in the manner
provided for the original appointment to that position.
j) Board members serve without compensation. The district shall pay all expenses
necessarily incurred by the board in performing its functions under this subchapter.
k) The board may appoint from among its membership a presiding officer and any
other officers it considers necessary.
I) The director or a board member may be appointed as secretary of the board. The
board shall require the secretary to keep suitable records of all proceedings of each
board meeting. After each meeting the presiding officer at the meeting shall read and
sign the record and the secretary shall attest the record.
m) Voting members of the board may meet in executive session in accordance with
Chapter 551, Government Code.
n) A majority of the voting members of the board constitutes a quorum.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, § 5.95(82), eft. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995,
74th Leg., ch. 638, § 15, eft. Sept. 1, 1995.
772.307. Powers and Duties of Board
a) The board shall control and manage the district.
b) The board may adopt rules for the operation of the district.
c) The board may contract with any public or private entity to carry out the purposes
of this subchapter, including the operation of a 9-1-1 system.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.308. Director of District
a) The board shall appoint a director of communication for the district and shall
establish the director's compensation. The director must be qualified by training and
experience for the position.
b) The board may remove the director at any time.
c) With the board's approval, the director may employ any experts, employees, or
consultants that the director considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this
subchapter.
d) The director shall perform all duties that the board requires and shall supervise
as general manager the operations of the district subject to any limitations prescribed by
the board.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.369. Budget; Annual Report; Audit
a) The director shall prepare under the direction of the board an annual budget for
the district. To be effective, the budget must:
1) be approved by the board;
2) be presented to and approved by the commissioners court of each county in the
district;
3) be presented to and approved by the governing body of the most populous
municipality in the district, if that municipality has a population of more than 140,000;
and
4) be presented to the governing body of each other participating jurisdiction and
approved by a majority of those jurisdictions.
b) The board shall submit a draft of the proposed budget to the governing bodies of
the participating jurisdictions not later than the 45th day before the date the board
adopts the budget. The participating jurisdictions shall review the proposed budget and
submit any comments regarding the budget to the board.
c) If the governing body of a county, municipality, or other participating jurisdiction
does not approve or disapprove the budget before the 61st day after the date the body
received the proposed budget for review, the budget is approved by operation of law.
d) A revision of the budget must be approved in the same manner as the budget.
e) As soon as practicable after the end of each district fiscal year, the director shall
prepare and present to the board and to each participating jurisdiction in writing a sworn
statement of all money received by the district and how the money was used during the
preceding fiscal year. The report must show in detail the operations of the district for the
fiscal year covered by the report.
f) The board shall have an independent financial audit of the district performed
annually.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1406, § 2, eft. Aug. 30, 1999.
772.310. Establishment of 9-1-1 Service
a) A district shall provide 9-1-1 service to each participating jurisdiction through one
or a combination of the following methods and features:
1) the transfer method;
2) the relay method;
3) the dispatch method;
4) automatic number identification;
5) automatic location identification;
6) selective routing; or
7) any equivalent method.
b) A district shall provide 9-1-1 service using one or both of the following plans:
1) the district may design, implement, and operate a 9-1-1 system for each
participating jurisdiction with the consent of the jurisdiction; or
2) the district may design, implement, and operate a 9-1-1 system for two or more
participating jurisdictions with the consent of each of those jurisdictions if a joint
operation would be more economically feasible than separate systems for each
jurisdiction.
c) Under either plan authorized by Subsection (b), the final plans for the particular
system must have the approval of each participating jurisdiction covered by the system.
d) The district shall recommend minimum standards for a 9-1-1 system.
e) A service supplier involved in providing 9-1-1 service, a manufacturer of
equipment used in providing 9-1-1 service, or an officer or employee of a service
supplier involved in providing 9-1-1 service is not liable for any claim, damage, or loss
arising from the provision of 9-1-1 service unless the act or omission proximately
causing the claim, damage, or loss constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, or
intentional misconduct.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 638, § 16, eft'. Sept. 1, 1995.
772.311. Primary Emergency Telephone Number
The digits 9-1-1 are the primary emergency telephone number in a district. A public
safety agency whose services are available through a 9-1-1 system may maintain a
separate number or numbers for emergencies and shall maintain a separate number or
numbers for nonemergency telephone calls.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.312. Transmitting Requests For Emergency Aid
a) A 9-1-1 system established under this subchapter must be capable of
transmitting requests for fire-fighting, law enforcement, ambulance, and medical
services to a public safety agency or agencies that provide the requested service at the
place from which the call originates. A 9-1-1 system may also provide for transmitting
requests for other emergency services such as poison control, suicide prevention, and
civil defense.
b) A public safety answering point may transmit emergency response requests to
private safety entities.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.313. Powers of District
a) The district is a body corporate and politic, exercising public and essential
governmental functions and having all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out
the purposes and provisions of this subchapter, including the capacity to sue or be
sued.
b) To fund the district, the district may apply for, accept, and receive federal, state,
county, or municipal funds and private funds and may spend those funds for the
purposes of this subchapter. The board shall determine the method and sources of
funding for the district.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.314. 9-1-1 Emergency Service Fee
a) The board may impose a 9-1-1 emergency service fee on service users in the
district.
b) The fee may be imposed only on the base rate charge or its equivalent, excluding
charges for coin-operated telephone equipment. The fee may not be imposed on more
than 100 local exchange access lines or their equivalent for a single business entity at a
single location, unless the lines are used by residents of the location. The fee may also
not be imposed on any line that the Advisory Commission on State Emergency
Communications excluded from the definition of a local exchange access line or an
equivalent local exchange access line pursuant to Section 771.063. If a business
service user provides residential facilities, each line that terminates at a residential unit
and that is a communication link equivalent to a residential local exchange access line
shall be charged the 9-1-1 emergency service fee. The fee must have uniform
application and must be imposed in each participating jurisdiction.
c) The rate of the fee may not exceed six percent of the monthly base rate in a
service year charged a service user by the principal service supplier in the participating
jurisdiction. For purposes of this subsection, the jurisdiction of the county is the
unincorporated area of the county.
d) The board shall set the amount of the fee each year as part of the annual budget.
The board shall notify each service supplier of a change in the amount of the fee not
later than the 91st day before the date the change takes effect.
e) In imposing the fee, the board shall attempt to match the district's revenues to its
operating expenditures and to provide reasonable reserves for contingencies and for
the purchase and installation of 9-1-1 emergency service equipment. If the revenue
generated by the fee exceeds the amount of money needed to fund the district, the
board by resolution shall reduce the rate of the fee to an amount adequate to fund the
district or suspend the imposition of the fee. If the board suspends the imposition of the
fee, the board by resolution may reinstitute the fee if money generated by the district is
not adequate to fund the district.
f) In a public agency whose governing body at a later date votes to receive 9-1-1
service from the district, the fee is imposed beginning on the date specified by the
board. The board may charge the incoming agency an additional amount of money to
cover the initial cost of providing 9-1-1 service to that agency. The fee authorized to be
charged in a district applies to new territory added to the district when the territory
becomes part of the district.
g) For the purposes of this section, the jurisdiction of the county is the
unincorporated area of the county.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 936, § 14, eft. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1999, 76th
Leg., ch. 1203, § 5, eft. June 18, 1999.
772.315. Collection of Fee
a) Each billed service user is liable for the fee imposed under Section 772.314 until
the fee is paid to the service supplier. The fee must be added to and stated separately
in the service user's bill from the service supplier. The service supplier shall collect the
fee at the same time as the service charge to the service user in accordance with the
regular billing practice of the service supplier. A business service user that provides
residential facilities and owns or leases a publicly or privately owned telephone switch
used to provide telephone service to facility residents shall collect the 9-1-1 emergency
service fee and transmit the fees monthly to the district.
b) The amount collected by a service supplier from the fee is due monthly. The
service supplier shall remit the amount collected in a calendar month to the district not
later than the 60th day after the last day of the calendar month. With each payment the
service supplier shall file a return in a form prescribed by the board.
c) Both a service supplier and a business service user under Subsection (a) shall
maintain records of the amount of fees it collects for at least two years after the date of
collection. The board may require at the board's expense an annual audit of a service
supplier's books and records or the books and records of a business service user
described by Subsection (a) with respect to the collection and remittance of the fees.
d) A business service user that does not collect and remit the 9-1-1 emergency
service fee as required is subject to a civil cause of action under Subsection (g). A
sworn affidavit by the district specifying the unremitted fees is prima facie evidence that
the fees were not remitted and of the amount of the unremitted fees.
e) A service supplier is entitled to retain an administrative fee from the amount of
fees it collects. The amount of the administrative fee is two percent of the amount of
fees it collects under this section.
f) A service supplier is not required to take any legal action to enfome the collection
of the 9-1-1 emergency service fee. However, the service supplier shall provide the
district with an annual certificate of delinquency that includes the amount of all
delinquent fees and the name and address of each nonpaying service user. The
certificate of delinquency is prima facie evidence that a fee included in the certificate is
delinquent. A service user account is considered delinquent if the fee is not paid to the
service supplier before the 31st day after the payment due date stated On the user's bill
from the service supplier.
g) The district may institute legal proceedings to collect fees not paid and may
establish internal collection procedures and recover the cost of collection from the
nonpaying service user. If the district prevails in legal proceedings instituted to collect a
fee, the court may award the district court costs, attorney's fees, and interest in addition
to other amounts recovered. A delinquent fee accrues interest at an annual rate of 12
percent beginning on the date the payment becomes due.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 936, § 15, eft. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th
Leg., ch. 638, § 17, eft. Sept. 1, 1995.
772.316. District Depository
a) The board shall select a depository for the district in the manner provided by law
for the selection of a county depository.
b) A depository selected by the board is the district's depository for two years after
the date of its selection and until a successor depository is selected and qualified.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.317. Allowable Expenses
Allowable operating expenses of a district include all costs attributable to designing a
9-1-1 system and to all equipment and personnel necessary to establish and operate a
public safety answering point and other related answering points that the board
considers necessary,
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.318. Number and Location Identification
a) As part of computerized 9-1-1 service, a service supplier shall furnish current
telephone numbers of subscribers and the addresses associated with the numbers on a
call-by-call basis.
b) A business service user that provides residential facilities and owns or leases a
publicly or privately owned telephone switch used to provide telephone service to facility
residents shall provide to those residential end users the same level of 9-1-1 service
that a service supplier is required to provide under Subsection (a) to other residential
end users in the district.
c) Information furnished under this section is confidential and is not available for
public inspection.
d) A service supplier or business service user under Subsection (b) is not liable to a
person who uses a 9-1-1 system created under this subchapter for the release to the
district of the information specified in Subsections (a) and (b).
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 936, § 16, eft. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th
Leg., ch. 638, § 18, eft. Sept. 1, 1995.
772.319. Public Review
a) Periodically, the board shall solicit public comments and hold a public review
hearing on the continuation of the district and the 9-1-1 emergency service fee. The
first hearing shall be held three years after the date the order certifying the creation of
the district is filed with the county clerks. Subsequent hearings shall be held three years
after the date each order required by Subsection (d) is adopted.
b) The board shall publish notice of the time and place of the hearing once a week
for two consecutive weeks in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the
district. The first notice must be published not later than the 16th day before the date set
for the hearing.
c) At the hearing, the board shall also solicit comments on the participation of the
district in the applicable regional plan for 9-1-1 service under Chapter 771. After the
hearing, the board may choose to participate in the regional plan as provided by that
chapter.
d) After the hearing, the board shall adopt an order on the continuation or
dissolution of the district and the 9-1-1 emergency service fee.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.320. Dissolution Procedures
a) If a district is dissolved, 9-1-1 service must be discontinued on the date of the
dissolution. The commissioners court of the county in which the district was located or, if
the district contains more than one county, the commissioners courts of those counties
acting jointly, shall assume the assets of the district and pay the district's debts. If the
district's assets are insufficient to retire all existing debts of the district on the date of
dissolution, the commissioners court or courts acting jointly shall continue to impose the
9-1-1 service fee, and each service supplier shall continue to collect the fee for the
commissioners court or courts. Proceeds from the imposition of the fee after dissolution
of the district may be used only to retire the outstanding debts of the district.
b) The commissioners court or courts shall retire the district's debts to the extent
practicable according to the terms of the instruments creating the debts and the terms of
the orders and resolutions authorizing creation of the debts.
c) The commissioners court or courts by order may adopt the rules necessary to
administer this section.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.321. Issuance of Bonds
The board may issue and sell bonds in the name of the district to finance:
1) the acquisition by any method of facilities, equipment, or supplies necessary for
the district to begin providing 9-1-1 service to all participating jurisdictions; and
2) the installation of equipment necessary for the distdct to begin providing 9-1-1
service to all participating jurisdictions.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.322. Repayment of Bonds
The board may provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds
by pledging all or any part of the district's revenues from the 9-1-1 emergency service
fee or from other sources.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.323. Additional Security for Bonds
a) The bonds may be additionally secured by a deed of trust or mortgage lien on
part or all of the physical properties of the district and the rights appurtenant to those
properties, vesting in the trustee power to sell the properties for payment of the
indebtedness, power to operate the properties, and all other powers necessary for the
further security of the bonds.
b) The trust indenture, regardless of the existence of the deed of trust or mortgage
lien on the properties, may include provisions prescribed by the board for the security of
the bonds and the preservation of the trust estate and may make provisions for
investment of funds of the district.
c) A purchaser under a sale under the deed of trust or mortgage lien is the absolute
owner of the properties and rights purchased and may maintain and operate them.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.324. Form of Bonds
a) A district may issue its bonds in various series or issues.
b) Bonds may mature serially or otherwise not more than 25 years after their date of
issue and shall bear interest at any rate permitted by state law.
c) A district's bonds and interest coupons, if any, are investment securities under the
terms of Chapter 8, Business & Commerce Code, may be issued registrable as to
principal or as to both principal and interest, and may be made redeemable before
maturity, at the option of the district, or contain a mandatory redemption provision.
d) A district may issue its bonds in the form, denominations, and manner and under
the terms, and the bonds shall be signed and executed, as provided by the board in the
resolution or order authorizing their issuance.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.325. Provisions of Bonds
a) In the orders or resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds, including refunding
bonds, the board may provide for the flow of funds and the establishment and
maintenance of the interest and sinking fund, the reserve fund, and other funds and
may make additional covenants with respect to the bonds, the pledge revenues, and the
operation and maintenance of any facilities the revenue of which is pledged.
b) The orders or resolutions of the board authorizing the issuance of bonds may
also prohibit the further issuance of bonds or other obligations payable from the pledged
revenue or may reserve the right to issue additional bonds to be secured by a pledge of
and payable from the revenue on a parity with or subordinate to the lien and pledge in
support of the bonds being issued.
c) The orders or resolutions of the board issuing bonds may contain other provisions
and covenants as the board may determine.
d) The board may adopt and have executed any other proceedings or instruments
necessary and convenient in the issuance of bonds.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.326. Approval and Registration of Bonds
a) Bonds issued by a district must be submitted to the attorney general for
examination.
b) If the attorney general finds that the bonds have been authorized in accordance
with law, the attorney general shall approve them. On approval by the attorney general,
the comptroller shall register the bonds.
c) After the approval and registration of bonds, the bonds are incontestable in any
court or other forum for any reason and are valid and binding obligations according to
their terms for all purposes.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.327. Refunding Bonds
a) A district may issue bonds to refund all or any part of its outstanding bonds,
including matured but unpaid interest coupons.
b) Refunding bonds shall mature serially or otherwise not more than 25 years after
their date of issue and shall bear interest at any rate or rates permitted by state law.
c) Refunding bonds may be payable from the same source as the bonds being
refunded or from other sources.
d) The refunding bonds must be approved by the attorney general as provided by
Section 772.326 and shall be registered by the comptroller on the surrender and
cancellation of the bonds refunded.
e) The orders or resolutions authorizing the issuance of the refunding bonds may
provide that they be sold and the proceeds deposited in the place or places at which the
bonds being refunded are payable, in which case the refunding bonds may be issued
before the cancellation of the bonds being refunded. If refunding bonds are issued
before cancellation of the other bonds, an amount sufficient to pay the principal of the
bonds being refunded and interest on those bonds accruing to their maturity dates or to
their option dates if the bonds have been duly celled for payment before maturity
according to their terms shall be deposited in the place or places at which the bonds
being refunded are payable. The comptroller shall register the refunding bonds without
the surrender and cancellation of bonds being refunded.
f) A refunding may be accomplished in one or in several installment deliveries.
Refunding bonds and their interest coupons are investment securities under Chapter 8,
Business & Commeme Code.
g) In lieu of the method set forth in Subsections (a)-(f), a district may refund bonds,
notes, or other obligations as provided by the general laws of this state.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.328. Bonds as Investments and Security for Deposits
a) District bonds are legal and authorized investments for:
1) a bank;
2) a savings bank;
3) a trust company;
4) a savings and loan association;
5) an insurance company;
6) a fiduciary;
7) a trustee;
8) a guardian; and
9) a sinking fund of a municipality, county, school district, and other political
subdivision of the state and other public funds of the state and its agencies, including
the permanent school fund.
b) District bonds are eligible to secure deposits of public funds of the state and
municipalities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.
The bonds are lawful and sufficient security for deposits to the extent of their value
when accompanied by all unmatured coupons.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.329. Tax Status of Bonds
Because a district created under this subchapter is a public entity performing an
essential public function, bonds issued by the district, any transaction relating to the
bonds, and profits made in the sale of the bonds are exempt from taxation by the state
or by any municipality, county, special district, or other political subdivision of the state.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.