HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2002-025RESOUTtON NO. Z4d;P
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2003 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 thc City of Denton has been presented thc 2003 Draft
Financial Plan (Budget) of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District for approval, in accordance with Tex.
Health & Safety Code §772.309 (Vemun 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 thc 2003
fiscal year Draft Financial Plan (Budget) of thc Dcnco Area 9-I-1 District attached to this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the /~-Lday of ~.~ ,2002.
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
HERBERT L. PROUTY, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: ~'
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 1
PREFACE
DENCO-AREA 9-II DISTRICT
1'.~ I · ' P.O. Box 29.3058, Lewi~ill~, Texas 75029-3058PhoneFFTY: 972-22t:0911 FAX: 972-420-0709 Webpag~:- wwW.denco.org
Date:.' . June 6, 2002 , · .... · ' ' '
Subject: Denc0 Area 911 District Fiscal Year 2003 Financial Plan .
Enclosed is the "draft'; copy of the Denco Area 9-1-~1 District Fiscal YEar 2003 Fi'nancial Plan for your
jurisdictionls'c0nsideration. Chapter 772.300, Texas Health and Safety Code'i requires emergency
communication districts to send a. draff budget to,participating jurisdibtions seeking comments. Afte'r
a 45-day review and comment period, the district s board of managers will consider approval of a.
finalbudge~t. · ' , · ~' . ~ ,' ' ' . . ·
Even tl~o~gh itis not'required for your governing body te vote on thebudget, the Denco board .
requests that ydu-review the budget and provide feedback pdor,to the August 8, 2002'district board
of managers"meeting. At. that time the board will approve a final budget.for tis'cai year 2003. which
begins October I 2002. If them-is no change from the, draft budget the district'will notify its '
m~mbers that the budget is appr, oved. If there is a change, thedist'rict will re(~uest each jurisdiction
ko ~onsider the final budget and a'copy of that budget will be Sent to members. ., '
A copy of the approval process and the Sta`te legislation that applies to t~e'Denco Area 9-1-1 District
is included Under. Section "5" in the enclosed financial plan. . ' ' ~.~ ''
You.will find'that the proposed financial plan includes additional services provided by the district,
su~;h as additional training and,equipment service. Also'included is the replacement of two new ·
public safety answering point (PSAP)'controller switches. These new switches will replace older'
technology and are designed.to better balance the ceil'volume at the district's eleven 921-1 · .'
answering pointm ' . .. , ' . ' - ' -
Phase Ii Enhanced Wireless 9~1-1 Sei'vice is also included in this financial plan. Denco should be
6perational with Phase II service for I~oth VoiceStream and Sp~int PCS Wireless carriers pdor to ti~e'
end 'of this current fiscal year. The distdct is in the process,of planning for the deployment o{
approximate location of 9-1-1 callers using a wii'eless telepho,,e. . " .. -
The Denco Area 9~1-1 District is here 'to serve its participating jurisdictions., The district s mission is
to assist its member jurisdictions respond,to police."fl~e and medical emergen,,cy calls by providing ·
an efficient, effective enhanced 9,r1-1 emergency telecommunications system. It c0ntinues'to' '
pro~;ide more services each year atthe same service fee rate since its beginning in r1987. ' '
Please call On any'bOard me~nber O1: the distri''c't staff if yOu have any comments Or questiOns '.
Concerning .this proposed budget. The distdct s executive director. Mike Pedigo, would welcome ~he
opportunity'to make a presentation to your governing'body ~egarding this budget or any ot~er'Den(~o
related matter. ' · . ' - , - '
Again ~hanl~s.~su.,?,,~e Denco Area 9-1-'~ District.
adan Jeffersp.~'.;,/./' . . , ' . , '. -
Chairman,:Bdar. d'(~f'Managers, . , ....
1075 Princeton Street. Lewisville, Texas 75067
To:
Date:
D.ENCO ,'AREA 9,. 1: 'I-DISTRICT
P.O. Box 293056, Lewisville, Texas 75029-3058
Phone/I-PC: 972-221-0911 .*' FAX: 972-420-0709. Webpage: www.denco.org
Denbo Area 91.1 District Pa~icipating ;Jurisdictions
June 6, 2002
Su6ject: .. Denco Area 911' District Fiscal Yeai: 2003 Financial' Plan
The Denco Area 9-.1-1 District's Board of Managers, atit~ June 6, 2002 regular
meeting, approved the "Draft". Dence Area 9-1-1 District Fiscal Year 2003
Financial .Plan. 'The 76th Texas'Legtslature passed' House Bill 1984. which
defined the budgetapprovar process for Cl'i'apter 772:300 series emergency
communication districts~ The.following documents'are included, in Section V. the
Appendix of this financial plan, defining, the budget appro~/al process:
A copy of'the Denco Area 9-'1-1 District.Missi0n,.Values and Goals
Statement.
A copy.of the section in. House Bill 1984 ii'at per~ai~]s te budget approval.
A copy'ofa resolution approved by theDenco Area 9-1-1.District Board.of'
Managers defining p'rocedures fee consideration and approval of a budget.
A'copy of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter772.300; the statute
under which Denco operates.
Denco's draft financial Plan provides'for the Continued provision-0f Stare-of-the-
art enhanced 9-1-1 services at the same' rate that Denc0 has collected from
district..residents since its inception in 1987. The emergency serv ce fee,
c6ilected by the telephone service providers is $0.27' per month for.residential,
0.71 per month for business Service andS1.13 per month for PBX. trunks. This
fee is equal.to three percent of the 1987 base telephone rate. Denco continues
to provide excellent services .to its member jurisdictions at'one of the lowest rates
in the ~tate., In additionto the. eme~gency'serviqefee 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
aiportion of the wireless fund to Denco based on'the district's percent of,the total
population of Texas.
Included in the fiscal year. 2003 budget,are the,following 'projects:
The purchase and installation of two new'ECS 1000 PSAP Controller
Switches. These switches are the, backboneto the 9-1-1 network. They
share the-load of all 9-1-1 calls routedte Denco Public Safety Answering
Points (PSAP).
The transition of the 9-1;;1 databases to a new. more robust and
redundant'database platf0rm~ The new platfbrm will house both wireless
and wireline databases.
1075 Princeton Street. Lewisville. Texas 75067
o
Financial Plan Letter
Page Two
The configuration and deployment of.a back-up 9-1-1 'network that is more
diverse and more redundant than the current.back-up system.-
The completion of Phase II.enhanced 9-1-1 wireless services. This
enhancement will assist telecommunicators.i~ locating wireless 9-1-1
callers. The district has' set aside funds for the rlast severalr years foe
Phase II services The fiscal year 2003 direct services budget includes
1,000,00Ofor non-recurring expenditures for the purchase of these
enhanced wireless services.
The addition of new training programsdesigned to meet the special
training needs of PSAPsacross the district.
The Denco Area 9-1-1 District Board.of Managers and staff continue to work to
provide its member jurisdictions.the best-enhanced .9-1-1 .services availabl~ at
one of the lowest rates in Texas. The district' appreciatesthe, professionalism,
cooperation and support of.the dispatchers and emergency response agencies
that make the 9-1-1 systems successful.
If. at any time,' you have.any q aestions or would like additional information,
pleasedo not hesitate.to call me at (972) 221-0911. .
Thanks'for your continued support of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Mike Pedig0
Executive Director
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 2
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
DENCO AREA 0-1-1 DISTRICT
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Backqround 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 Terminology
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 district 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 ofthe 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:
District Overview
Page 2 of 8
June 3, 2002
City of Carrollton Police Department
City of Denton Police Department
Denton County Shedfrs Office
Town of Flower Mound Police Depadment
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 atthe 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 II. The feature that provides the approximate geographic location of wireless
callers, in addition to the FCC's Phase I enhancements.
District Overview
Page 3 of 8
June 3, 2002
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 muted to the proper agency responsible for dispatching help to the
caller.
Trained telecommunicators answer 9-1-1 calls. (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 telecommunicator, 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 PS^Ps 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 will
provide additional location information to telecommunicators.
District Overview
Page 4 of 8
June 3, 2002
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 Distdct
Legislation
During its 1985 legislative session, the 69th 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
0
District Overview
Page 5 of 8
June 6, 2002
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 are the following:
Argyle Hackberry Little Elm
Aubrey Hebron Marshall Creek
Bartonville Hickory Creek Northlake
Carrollton Highland Village Oak Point
Clark Justin Pilot Point
Copper Canyon Krugerville Ponder
Corinth Krum Roanoke
Corral City Lake Dallas Sanger
Cross Roads Lakewood Village Shady Shores
Denton Lewisville The Colony
Double Oak Lincoln Park Trophy Club
Flower Mound Unincorporated Denton County
On December 8, 1987, the district's board of managers ordered the levy and collection of
the emergency fee to commence with the January 1988 billing cycle. The board ordered
the service fee, collected by the telephone companies, to be charged at a rate of three
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
residential 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.
District Overview
Page 6 of 8
June 6, 2002
Structure
Board of Managers. The board of managers is the governing body for the Denco Area
9-1-1 District. The county, participating cities and the Denton County Fire Chiefs
Association appoint the board. The current board of managers is made up of the
following members:
Board Member
Mr. Harlan Jefferson, Chairman
Mayor Olive Stephens, Vice Chairman
Mr, Al Brown, Secretary
Mr. Jack Miller, Denton
Chief Bruce Vamer, Carrollton
Mr. Melvin Willis
Represents
Participating Cities
Participating Cities
Denton County Commissioners Court
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 2003 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
t
I
District Overview
Page 7 of 8
June 3, 2002
service providers within the district. Included in the organizational chart are names of
staff members in each program area.
I
Patty Cross
Public Education/
Training
Manager
I
Sandy Arnesen
Public Education/
Training
Secretary
Board
Managers
I
MikePedigoExecutiveDirectorCarlaFlowersBusinessManagerMarkPayne9-1-1SystemsManagerI Glint Cranford9-1-1 SystemsTechnicianDavidConnelInformationSystemsManager
District Overview
Page 8 of 8
June 3, 2002
The distdct will provide the most reliable, efficient, cost-effective andValue2:
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 camj 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 PS^Ps have the most accurate, reliable and useable
data at all times.
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 3
FINANCIAL PLAN SUMMARY
SUMMARY OF COST CLASSIFICATIONS
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003 FINANCIAL PLAN SUMMARY
Strategic Overview
Fiscal Year 2002
The terrorist acts of September 11,2001, had a profound impact on the strategic
direction of 9-1-1 administrative agencies across Amedca. It heightened their
awareness to the need for moro effective and roliable 9-1-1 services and the
throat to the security of the 9-1-1 systems. Because of this '~vake-up-call", the
Denco Area 9-1-1 Distdct decided to re-examine its existing strategy and to take
a new look at its purpose for existence.
In December 2001, the Denco Area 9-1-1 Distdct Board of Managers began
evaluating the district's mission statement and in April 2002, approved a new
mission, values and goals statement. The provious mission statement was
adopted in 1992. The district was in its 15th year, it had matured, and it was now
time to reevaluate the emergency communications needs in Denton County and
provide focus for its rosources in futuro years. The district plans to roview its
mission statement at least every five years in the futuro. A copy of the mission,
values and goals statement is included in Section 5 of this financial plan.
As of September 11th, the Denco Area 9-1-1 District had already begun
evaluating its network and was developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for
network and database services. The RFP had been in the planning stages for
two years to coincide with the termination of an existing agreement for those
services. The RFP was issued on October 8, 2002 and the district has spent
much of the current fiscal year evaluating the rosponse. Even though Denco
was disappointed that only one telecommunications service provider rosponded
to the document, the proposal was very thorough.
The primary changes from the existing services that wero included in the network
and database proposal were increases in redundancy and diversity to the 9-1-1
networks and a more advanced, robust and redundant database platform. The
response proposed duplicating the existing network with a secondary selective
routing tandem and a second back-up network between the telephone company
switching offices and the duplicate tandem. Even though the proposed network
is too costly and cannot be supported within the existing service fee rate
structure, Denco is working with the carrier to develop an alternative plan that will
provide the redundancy needed to assure continued service in the event of a
disaster.
FY2003 Budget Summary .doc Page I of 6
The district is moving forward with the transition to the proposed database
services. The enhanced database plafform will provide two mated database
storage systems, with one located in Texas and the other in California. All 9-1-1
answering points will have the ability to retdeve 9-1-1 location information from
both sites. The new platform will also accommodate the retrieval of location
information for wireless 9-1-1 calls. Denco is currently in the process of
migrating its wireless database to the new system and will move the wireline
database in fiscal year 2003.
In October 2001, the Denco Area 9-1-1 District began maintaining all of the
district's 9-1-1 systems. In past years, it has contracted these services with
incumbent telephone companies and that arrangement had served the district
well. With the constant change in technology and the desire of Denco to remain
responsive to member jurisdiction needs, the district's board decided that Denco
member jurisdictions would be better served by the district maintaining the 9-1-1
systems.
Since taking over the maintenance of the systems, the district staff has replaced
all fifty-three workstations and monitors at its 9-1-1 answering points. Staff has
also installed wide-area network servers at all twelve public safety answering
points (PSAPs), implemented an online training and communications network
and deployed map display software at all workstations. The district also trained
more than 150 telecommunicators from across the district in the use of these
new systems.
As the district implemented new computer hardware, software and network
enhancements, it standardized the configuration at all PS^Ps. This
standardization has continued to decrease the number of calls for service. Not
only does the distdct respond to calls for service from its answering points in a
timely manner, it also has procedures in place to do preventative maintenance
on the equipment and test systems on a regular basis.
The move to internal 9-1-1 systems management has proven to be more efficient
and cost effective. In the past, contractors were required to respond within two
hours of a call for service. Denco staff frequently responds by telephone within
five minutes and often can resolve problems over the phone. Maintenance
personnel also have the ability to obtain control of the 9-1-1 computers from a
remote location, via the district's wide area network, and often resolve problem in
less time by not having to drive to the PSAP.
In addition to revising its mission statement, evaluating its network and database
systems and implementing a maintenance program for the 9-1-1 systems during
fiscal year 2002, the Denco Area 9-1-1 District will have accomplished by
FY2003 Budget Summary .doc Page 2 of 6
September 30th other objectives that were planned for fiscal year 2002, including,
but not limited to, the following:
Added an additional call taker position at the supervisor's desk in the
Denton County Sheriff's Office PSAP.
Relocated the Roanoke, UNT and Lake Dallas PSAPs to new facilities.
Publish its second annual report and quarterly issues of The Denco
Update newsletter.
Implement a wireless contingency routing network at three small cities
that do not have around-the-clock staffing. If there is a system failure, 9-
1-1 calls will be routed to a PSAP over the wireless network. Other
systems are in place for the remainder of the district.
Begin the deployment of Phase II enhanced wireless 9-1-1 services.
Plans are to complete the deployment with VoiceStream and Sprint PCS,
and begin deployment with other wireless carders during the current fiscal
year.
Participate in a statewide wireless education campaign.
Provide a computer based testing tool that will be used by all agencies
when evaluating potential telecommunicators.
Fiscal Year 2003
The Denco Area 9-1-1 Distdct has planned for five years for fiscal year 2003,
which will deplete the majority of the reserve funds that it has been
accumulating. The most visible and the most costly plans for the distdct during
fiscal year 2003 include the deployment of Phase II enhanced wireless 9-1-1
services, the renewal of a network and database service agreement and the
purchase and installation of two new PSAP equipment servers.
Denco will begin deploying Phase II enhanced wireless services during fiscal
year 2002, but expects the financial impact of the service to be during fiscal year
2003. The district has budgeted $1,000,000 during fiscal year 2003 for non-
recurring costs associated with the deployment of Phase I1 services. The district
has set these funds aside in a Designated Phase II Wireless account.
Denco signed a seven-year agreement in 1995 with GTE (now Vedzon) for the
purchase of selective routing and database services. At that time, the district
moved to digital selective routing software that provided services not available
previously. The digital platform was the first provided in Texas and the cost for
the services were negotiated prior to a tariff.being approved by the Public Utility
Commission of Texas (PUC). The PUC approved the agreement on an
individual case basis. The cost for the services were fixed for the term of the
agreement and not allowed to escalate with growth in the district. The contract
expires in fiscal year 2003 and Denco will be required to pay the tadff rate for the
services, increasing its annual costs by close to $300,000.
FY2003 Budget Summary .doc Page 3 of 6
The distdct requested bids from vendors during the current year for the purchase
of two new CML ECS '1000 PSAP Controller switches. The switches provide the
intelligence for the fifty-three 9-1-1 call taker positions that Denco supports.
Over the past five years, Verizon has maintained these switches for the district.
Beginning next fiscal year, Denco will assume that function with the installation of
the two new PSAP Controller switches. At the time of installation, Denco will
program the switches with matching databases so that they will be consistent
and more easily maintained. One switch will be located in Carrollton and serve
the Carrollton, The Colony, Lewisville, Flower Mound and Highland Village
PSAPs. The second switch will be located in Denton and serve the City of
Denton, Denton County Sheriff's Department, Lake Dallas, Roanoke, UNT and
TWU PSAPs.
The existing-switch located in Carrollton will be relocated to the Denco facility
and be used as a controller for the district's training PSAP and lab for research
purposes. In addition, the district will be evaluating the potential of using it as a
back-up server for PSAPs. It will require some upgrade, depending on the
extent of its use. Denco has budgeted $510,000 in its fiscal year 2003 capital
expenditure budget for the purchase and delivery of the two new switches and
the relocation and upgrade of the existing switch.
In addition to the projects discussed and the ongoing services Denco provides its
member jurisdictions, fiscal year 2003 plans include the following:
Actively participate in legislative and regulatory issues that might have an
affect on the operations of the Denco Area 9-1-1 District.
Conduct a public hearing that is required every three years regarding the
continuation or dissolution of the emergency communication district.
Continue with the development and distribution of a wireless 9-1-1 public
awareness campaign. There are many misconceptions regarding the
accuracy and reliability of enhanced wireless 9-1-1 services.
Offer additional classes that provide state certification at the intermediate
level for telecommunicators.
Provide district-wide training that might assist PSAPs decrease the
turnover of telecommunicators.
Audit the 9-1-1 networks to assure that diverse and redundant voice and
data paths are operational.
Move wireline database to new platform.
Implement new statistical gathering and reporting software.
FY2003 Budget Summary .doc Page 4 of 6
Financial Overview
Revenue Highlights
Service fee revenue is expected to increase in fiscal year 2003 by
117,335.
Projected interest earned for FY2003 is anticipated to be close to that of
the current fiscal year. Interest revenue in fiscal year 2002 is expected to
be lower than budgeted because of lower interest rates.
Denco received a pre-paid maintenance refund this year of $148,417.
The financial plan for 2003 projects a refund of $47,808. This lower
refund accounts for the small increase in total revenue anticipated in fiscal
year 2003.
Denco expects to receive $61,044 for contract services provided to the
county for addressing maintenance in unincorporated Denton County.
Denco estimates a net increase of $16,767 in total revenues in FY 2003.
Expenditure Highlights
FY2003 Budg~Summa~ .doc
Total Personnel expenditures ara proposed to increase by $101,605 in
fiscal year 2003. Reasons for the increase include the following:
The budget includes a four percent incraase in total salaries for
existing personnel.
Also included is the addition of a GPS Field Technician. This will be a
new staff position rasponsible for the gathering of data to be included
in the 9-1-1 database. This position will eliminate two contract
personnel positions that have been included in the last two fiscal
years. The software the district is using to gather GIS data is special
purpose software that requiras advanced training that is not available
to independent contract personnel.
Also included in personnel cost is an incraase in health benefit costs.
Due to the small number of its staff, the distdct expects a 50 pement
increase in health benefits next fiscal year. The budget includes a 20
percent increase in the district's contribution to healthcara insurance
benefits.
Operations expenditures are expected to increase by $11,866 in fiscal
year 2003. Most of the increase is included in office space/maintenance,
insurance and costs ralated to the legislative session that begins in
January 2003.
Diract Service expenditures ara expected to incraase by $1,079,992. The
major reasons, as explained earlier, ara the $1,000,000 that are set aside
for the implementation of Phase II enhanced wireless 9-1-1 services and
the $280,224 incraase in network and database services requirad by the
new tariff rates.
Capital expendituras ara expected to increase by $345,359. $568,000 of
the total $580,000 capital budget is for the purchase of PSAP equipment.
Included is the purchase of the two new ECS 1000 PSAP Controller
switches and the upgrade to the existing switch.
Page 5 of 6
Debt Service drops to zero. During fiscal year 2002, Denco will complete
its five-year lease purchase agreement for the 9-1-1 equipment that it
bought in 1997.
The ending fund balance projected for the next five years provides a
strong financial position for the district at the existing service fee rate. The
Denco Area 9-1-1 District Board of Managers is committed to providing
the best service available within the present day funding structure.
FY2003 Budget Summary .doc Page 6 of 6
0
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
SUMMARY OF COST CLASIFICATIONS
Personnel
includes staff salary, deferred compensation, health care and retirement benefits. Also
included are costs for state unemployment tax and employer's contribution to Medicare.
Operations
Includes overhead costs for ongoing 9-1-1 emergency network suppod services.
Communications
Includes telecommunication, printing/publishing and postage/shipping costs necessary
for the distdct to disseminate information.
Telecommunication costs includes local and long-distance office telephone and
wireless service, internet, pager, and telephone equipment expense.
Printing/Publishing includes all costs of outside printing, binding, collating,
design, layout, photography, art work, and similar costs related to the preparation
and publication of printed material such as letterhead, newsletter shells,
envelopes, business cards and video presentations.
Postaae/Shiopino includes all general and overnight postage, insurance, freight,
delivery, meter rental and other related costs except when postage and shipping
are included in the total purchase price of a specific item.
Expendable Supplies
includes the cost of routine expendable office supplies and commercially available
software. Supplies also include the costs associated with service awards and meetings.
Professional Services
Includes the cost of legal fees, accounting services, independent audit and professional
development cost for conference registration, tuition reimbursement, reimbursement
paid to new employees as part of recruitment agreement, and staff training. Includes
cost of all service, repair, support and maintenance incurred after initial purchase of
furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
summary of cost classifications.doc Page 1 of 4
Office Space/Maintenance
Includes the cost of utilities, building services, maintenance and repair expense for
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 pumhase or rental of books, videos and
recordings.
Advertising
Includes the cost of public service announcements, required legal notices, public
meeting notices, solicitation for bids, job announcements, and other costs related to the
media.
Insurance
Includes general liability, errors and omissions, property and workers compensation
insurance required for the district board and staff. Also, includes property insurance for
PSAP equipment owned by district not located at Denco facilities.
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 staff
travel out of the district. Also included is reimbursement for the use of personal vehicles
on official business within the district.
DIRECT SERVICES
Includes all non-recurring and recurring costs attributed directly to the operations,
maintenance, equipment, network and database required in the provision of 9-1-1
services. Does not include the cost for equipment purchased and owned by the
district. Also included are direct costs for information system services, public education
and training for telecommunicators.
summary of cost classifications.doc Page 2 of 4
9-1-1 Systems
Includes operations, service and direct maintenance costs required for Denco to
maintain the 9-1-1 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 contract personnel, the
pumhase of aerial photography files and the service and maintenance of hardware and
software required to provide the data.
Public Education
Includes operating costs required for the development, pumhase 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
Includes 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 of Texas annual awards
and appreciation activities and recipients of the Dr. Allen Groff Emergency Medical
Dispatch (EMD) Scholarship to the national EMD conference.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Includes all capital expenditures for the purchase of fixed assets such as land, building,
furniture and fixtures and equ!pment.
Land
Includes all costs associated with the purchase of land including purchase pdce, real
estate commissions and all related professional fees.
Building
Includes all costs associated with the improvement, construction or purchase of building
facilities. Includes all construction costs, professional fees and permits.
summary of cost classifications.doc Page 3 of 4
Furniture and Fixtures
Includes purchase pdce plus ail expenditures related to the shipping, freight,
transportation and installation of fumiture and fixtures.
Office Equipment
Includes the cost of office equipment including the purchase price plus all expenditures
connected with the acquisition and installation of the equipment.
PSAP Equipment
Includes the cost of computer and other PSAP equipment that is purchased by the
district and carried as a fixed asset.
DEBT SERVICE
Includes principal, interest, and other payments directly related to the repayment of
debt.
summary of cost classifications.doc Page 4 of 4
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003
FINANCIAL PLAN
SECTION 4
ANITClPATED REVENUES
PROPOSED EXPENDITURES
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Beginning of Year Fund Balance 1,483,949
Anticipated Revenues
9-1-1 Service Fee Revenue
Interest Revenue
Contract Services Revenue
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expense)
Total Anticipated Revenues
2,703,614
27,101
61,044
47.808
2,839,568
Proposed Expenditures
Personnel
Operations
Direct Services
Capital Expenditures
Debt Service
Total Proposed Expenditures
Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures
833,271
136,263
2,360,751
580,000
3,9'10,285
1.070.717)
End of Year Fund Balance
FY2003 Financial Plan.xls,6/6/2002,1:30 PM
95.21%
0.95%
2.15%
1.68%
100.00%
21.31%
3.48%
60.37%
14.83%
0.00%
100.00%
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Service Fee Revenue
Vedzon
SBC
Spdnt
CenturyTel
Other Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs)Pdvate Switch Service FeesTelephoneCompanyAdministrative ChargesTelephoneCompanyUncollectibleChargesTelephoneCompanyAdjustments
Net Wireline Service Fee Revenue
Wireless Service Fee Revenue
Total Service Fee Revenue
Non Service Fee Revenue
Interest Revenue
Contract Service Revenue
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expenses)
Total Non Service Fee Revenue
Total Revenue
930,052
157,704
34,897
59,021
192,826
5,398
12,000)
1,200)
ooo)
1,351,697
2,703,614
27,101
61,044
47.808
135,953
2,839,568
FY2003 Financial Plan.x~s,6/6/2002,1:30 PM
32.75%
5.55%
1.23%
2.08%
6.79%
0.19%
0.42%
0.04%
47.60%
47.61%
95.21%
0.95%
2.15%
J .68%
4.79%
100.00%
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Personnel Expenditures
Salaries
Benefits
Operations Expenditures
Communications
Telecommunications
Printing
Postage/Shipping
Supplies
Professional Services
Legal Services
Independent Audit
Professional Development
Other Professional Services
Office Space/Maintenance
Memberships/Subscriptions
Advertising
Insurance
Travel
Out of District
In District
Direct Service Expenditures
9-1-1 Systems
Information Systems
Public Education/Training
Capital Expenditures
Building
Fumiture and Fixtures
Office Equipment
PSAP Equipment
Debt Service Expenditures
PSAP Equipment Debt
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
613,742
833,271
11,171
2,060
5,872
11,500
16,000
2,800
7,101
9,970
32,830
1,359
900
11,400
16,650
6.650
136,263
2,228,191
37,715
94.845
2,360,751
3,000
2,OOO
7,000
568.000
58O,0OO
o
3,910,285
FY2003 Financial Plan.xls,6/6/2002,1:30 PM
15.70%
5.61%
21.31%
0.29%
0.05%
0.15%
0.29%
0.00%
0.41%
0.07%
0.18%
0.25%
0.84%
0.03%
0.02%
0.29%
0.43%
0.17%
3.48%
56.98%
0.96%
2.43%
60.37%
0.08%
0.05%
0.18%
14.53%
14.83%
0.00%
0.0O%
100.00%
DENCO AREA 911 DISTRICT FINANCIAL PLAN
Be~linning of Year Fund Balance $1,260,856 $1,483,949 $413,232 $513,875 $598,841 $654,718
Revenue
Net Service Fee Revenue $2.586,279 .$2~703.6t4 $2,865,831 $3,037.781 $3,220.048 $3.413.251
Interest Revenue $27,101 $27,101 $10,331 $12.847 $14.971 $15.368
Miscellaneous Revenue (Expense) $61,044 $61,044 $61,044 $61.044 $61.044 $61.044
ontract Services Revenue $148.377 $47.808 ~0. ~)_ SD. ~
Total Revenue $2,822,801 $2,839,568 $2,937,206 $3,111,672 $3,296,063 $3,490,663
Expenditures
Personnel $731,665 $833,271 $686.04~ $046.575 $1.014,557 $1.085.633
Dperations $124,397 $135,263 $142.013 $140.364 $155,331 $162.033
Direct Services $1.288,759 $2,360~751 $1,544,503 $1,662.767 $1.790.297 $1.927.826
CapEal Expenditures $234,641 $580,00{) $262,000 $267.000 $280,000 $280.000
Debt Service $228,245 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Expenditures $2,599,707 $3,910,285 $2,836,563 $3,026,706 $3,240,186 $3,456,492
Revenue over (Under) Expenditures $223,094 ($1,070,717] $t00,643 $84,966 $55,877 $34,171
End of Year Fund Balance $1.483.949 $413.232 $513.875 $598.841 $654.718 $688.889
F'(20Q3 Financial Plan.xls,6/6/20O2,1:30 PM 4
DENCO AREA 9-1-1 DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2003
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 resoumes 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 proposed budget to the qoverninq bodies of
the participating jurisdictions not later than the 45th day before the date the boarcl
adopts the budget. The participating jurisdictions shall review the proposed budget anti
submit any comments regarding the budget to the board.
c) If the governing body of a county, municipality, or other participating iurisdiction
does not approve or disapprove the budget before the 61 st 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.
budget legislation,doc Page 1 of 2
e) [(-c-)] 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 distdct performed
annually.
budget legislation,doc Page 2 of 2
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 District 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
majodty 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
budget approval policy.doc Page I of 1
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 th45 day before the Board adopts a budget, the Executive
Director on behalf of the Board will submit a draft of the proposed budget to
each of the governing bodies of the 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 1 ) 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 of the 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 of the Board's adopted budget by the governing bodies
of participating jurisdictions within sixty days of receipt.
APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 2"d day of December 1999.
Chairman, Board of Managers
Secretary, Board of Managers
Budget Approval Procedures.doc 'Page 1 of I
0 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, fire, 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 enforcement 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 1 of 16
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 Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1405, § 32, eff. 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;
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 2 of 16
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 more 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 fire departments operating
wholly or partly in the district, with the appointment process coordinated by the
county fire 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
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 3 of 16
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) are 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 remainder 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772,300 Page 4 of 16
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 directors 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.
772.309. 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 5 of 16
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 d!strict 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
Health and Safely Code, Chapter 772.300 Page6of 16
2) the district may design, implement, and operate a 9-1-1 system for two or
moro participating jurisdictions with the consent of each of those jurisdictions if a
joint operation would be moro 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 manufacturor 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 aro 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 enfomement, 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 rosponse
requests to private safety entities.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, § 1, eft. Sept. 1, 1989.
772.313. Powers of District
Health and Safety Coda, Chapter 772.300 Page 7 of 16
a) The distdct is a body corporate and politic, exemising 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
soumes 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 ars 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 91 st 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
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 8 of 16
reinstitute the fee if money generated by the distdct is not adequate to fund the
district.
0 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
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 9 of 16
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 pement of
the amount of fees it collects under this section.
f) A service supplier is not required to take any legal action to enforce 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 distdct 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 10 of 16
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 distdct 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
3rovided by that chapter.
Heal. and Safe. Code, Chap~r 772.300 Page 11 of 16
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 distdct 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 distdct 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 12 of 16
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 secudty 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
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772.300 Page 13 of 16
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
previsions 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772,300 Page 14 of 16
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 called 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 & Commerce 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
Health and Safely Code, Chapter 772,300 Page 15 of 16
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) Distdct 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.
Health and Safety Code, Chapter 772,300 Page 16 of 16