Agenda

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12.

City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

06/09/2020

BACKGROUND

Bexar Metro 911, by its charter under the Texas Health and Safety Code is required to seek approval of its annual budget from all of the governmental entities for which it provides 911 services. This is done to ensure that all communities under the umbrella of this organization have an opportunity to provide input and direction in the operation and focus of the agency providing 911 services.

Since its inception in 1987, Bexar Metro 911 has utilized the same wired telephone fees without any increases until 2018. This has been possible by an ever growing population utilizing wired telephones and by the inception of wireless telephones that are also charged a fee to grow and support the 911 system.

On July 25, 2018 the Bexar Metro 911 Board of Directors recommended the following increases:

Residential Phone Lines:     From $0.22 to $0.50 per phone line
Business Phone Lines:        From $0.51 to $1.00 per phone line
Business Trunk Lines:        From $0.77 to $1.00 per trunk line to a maximum of 100 lines

TThe 911 service fee charged to wireless telephone users is set by the State of Texas and despite the 911 authorities requesting an increase in the $0.50 fee per wireless phone in 2018, the state legislation has not increased the fee. It is anticipated that the previously approved 2018 increase in wired phone line fees approved by Bexar Metro 911 Board of Directors will provide the revenue necessary to support 911 operations and technology upgrades for at least the next four years. There is no rate increase for this year for FY 2021. The current fee structure is adequate to support programmed spending in FY2021.

By approving this resolution, the City of Schertz will be accepting the proposed Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Network Fiscal Year 2021 operational and financial budget plans.

Dudley Waite continues to sit on the Bexar Metro 911 Board of Directors as the Guadalupe County representative.

GOAL

To obtain consensus of and approve the 2021 Bexar Metro 911 operational and financial rates.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

To deploy and maintain a state-of-the-are 911 emergency communication system that enables citizens in distress to quickly communicate their request for police, fire, or emergency medical assistance.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve proposed 2021 Bexar Metro FY 2021 budget and 911 rates.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact to the City of Schertz by approval of this budget. There is NO increase in cost to our residents and businesses who still maintain wired telephone lines for FY 2021.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Council approve Resolution No. 20-R-56.

Attachments
Resolution 20-R-56
Bexar Metro 911 letter
2019 Annual Report
Proposed budget