6. Discussion and Action Regarding Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Request for Certification Pay Increase for Telecommunicators

[8. Renewal of Agreement between the Abilene/Taylor County 9-1-1 District Board of Managers and the City of Abilene for providing District administration and support]

TRIPURCHASE, AND INTERLOCAL. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

OPPOSED? >> (CHORUS OF AYES).

>> RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT OF THE 911 DISTRICT BOARD OF MANAGERS AND THE CITY OF ABILENE FOR PROVIDING DISTRICT

[00:15:06]

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT. >> LISTEN, CHAIRMAN, AS YOU KNOW EVERY FIVE YEARS WE RENEW THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ABILENE TAYLOR COUNTY 911 DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF ABILENE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES THAT THE CITY PROVIDES TO THE BOARD FOR COST SAVINGS. WE RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD APPROVE

THE AGREEMENT. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?

>> IT'S NOTHING AS FAR AS. NO SUBSTANTIAL.

>> NO, SIR. >> DISTRICT BOARD CHANGED THE

DISTRICT. I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN

CITY OF ABILENE AND THE BOARD. >> SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[9. Discussion and Action Regarding Taylor County Sheriffs Request for Dispatch Equipment]

(CHORUS OF AYES). >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> I THINK WE'RE ON NUMBER NINE. DISCUSSION ACTION REGARDING TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF'S REQUEST FOR DISPATCH

EQUIPMENT. >> WE'LL TURN THIS ONE TO

SHERIFF BISHOP. >> THANK YOU. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE WAY DISPATCH HAS MOVED AND EXPANDED, WE'VE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THERE SO FAR EXCEPT FOR THE TELEX HEADSET SYSTEM. THAT SYSTEM IS AGING AND WE PIECED IT TOGETHER AND ADDED SOME NEW STUFF TO SOME OLD STUFF AND WE'RE STILL HAVING MINOR ISSUES IN THERE AND IT'S OUR BELIEF IT INVOLVES THE HEADSET SYSTEM WHICH NOT ONLY DOES ALL THE PHONES, BUT IT DOES THE RADIOS AS WELL. SO, EVERYTHING IS TIED INTO THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM. TO REPLACE THIS SYSTEM IS $294,000. AND THAT SHOULD GET US WHERE WE NEED TO BE. ALSO IN THAT, IS A QUALITY ASSURANCE SOFTWARE PROGRAM FOR CHECKING THE 911

CALLS. AND THAT COST IS $2,500. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF, ANY

QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? >> I THINK THAT BASED ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION AND THIS WITHIN OUR PURVIEW, I

THINK WE AUTO APPROVE. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (CHORUS OF AYES).

>> IT'S APPROVED. THANK YOU SHERIFF.

>> I MISSED AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

>> WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE A NEW MUNICIPAL REP AT THIS TIME, BUT

WE DO NOT. >> WHO DECIDES WHO THAT'S GOING

TO BE IN >> WE SEND OUT A LETTER TO ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES ASKING FOR NOMINATIONS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING BACK AS OF YET.

[10. Presentation and Acceptance of Annual Audit for Year Ended September 2020]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL CONTINUE ON, THEN, WITH NUMBER 10, PRESENTATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ANNUAL AUDIT FOR YEAR END SEPTEMBER 2020. MR. MIKE GREENS.

>> MIKE REIGNS, FINANCES DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY. THE AUDIT LAST YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020, WAS PREPARED BY BKD OUT OF DALLAS, THEY DID THE CITY AUDIT. THE OPINION WAS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WAS PRESENTED FAIRLY IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS AND THE 911 IS INCLUDED IN THAT AUDIT. IF YOU LOOK AT PAGE 74, THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE 911 DISTRICT, YOU'LL SEE YOUR TOTAL ASSETS DECREASE BY A MILLION AND 1 WHICH WAS PRIMARILY CASH AND INVESTMENTS, PAYABLES WERE DOWN $250,000, YOUR FUND BALANCE DECREASED $907,000. THE REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES ON A GAP BASIS, THE REVENUES WERE DOWN IN TOTAL BY ABOUT $400,000. THAT WAS MADE UP OF YOUR

[00:20:03]

WIRELESS SERVICE FEES WERE FAIRLY EVEN WITH THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE WIRE LINE SERVICE FEES DROPPED 2,200,000 DOLLARSIOUS, THE WIRE LINE SERVICE FEES WERE DOWN $278,000, AND INVESTMENT PRIVATE SECTOR DOWN $123,000, BECAUSE OF THE LOW INTEREST RATES THAT WE'RE SEEING. EXPENDITURES YOU HAD $370,982,000,000 IN EXPEND TOURS. THAT IS AN INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE TWO MAIN AREAS THAT INCREASED WAS PHONE SERVICE IT WAS OVER ABOUT $133,000, AND YOUR COMMUNICATION CENTER EQUIPMENT WAS UP ABOUT $200,000. SO, OVERALL, WITH $2.4 MILLION OF REVENUES, $3.37 MILLION EXPENDITURES, EXPEND TOURS OVER REVENUES WAS $970,000. COMPARING THAT WITH THE BUDGET ON PAGE 76 OF THE PACKET, YOU BUDGETED $2.4 MILLION OF REVENUE AND COLLECTED $2,000 LESS THAN THAT.

THAT WAS VERY GOOD ON THE REVENUE SIDE. EXPENDITURES THERE'S A $2.4 MILLION BUDGET AND YOU ONLY SPENT A MILLION DOLLAR. YOU CAME OUT AHEAD OVER ALL COMBINED $694,000 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. AND COMBINING THAT WITH YOUR FUND BALANCE, IS YOU END OH UP ON A BUDGETARY BASIS WITH ABOUT $5.3 MILLION AND ON A GAB BASIS, $6.9 MILLION. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> SO, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU -- ALL I HEARD FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS HERE AWHILE BACK WAS THAT WE'RE COLLECTING TOO MUCH MONEY AND THE PUBLIC IS GETTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THESE DIFFERENT FEES THAT WE OR THIS ONE FEE THAT WE CHARGE BUT ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU JUST TOLD ME, THAT DOESN'T REFLECT IN YOUR

BUDGET, CORRECT? >> IT DOES, YOUR EXPENDITURES WILL VARY DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU SPEND ON CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND THAT'S GOING TO GO UP AND DOWN EVERY YEAR. THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN BIG YEARS ON CAPITAL PURCHASES, SO YOU END UP WITH DEFICITS SO TO SPEAK, IF YOU JUST LOOK AT YOUR OPERATING EXPENDITURES, YOU'RE PROBABLY IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.

>> I MOVE THAT WE SET THE ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT AS PRESENTED

TO US. >> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[11. Discussion and Action of the Revised FY 2021 and Proposed FY 2022 Budget]

>> (CHORUS OF AYES). >> ANY OPPOSED. THERE IS NONE.

>> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT THING IS THE DISCUSSION AND ACTION OF THE REVISED FY 2021 AND PROPOSED FY 2022 BUDGET. YOU'LL FIND IT IN YOUR PACKET, THE ITEMS THERE IN REGARD TO THAT.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, IF YOU'LL TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE BUDGET SHEET HERE, WE HAVE OUR ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR 2021 AND OUR 2021 REVISED, YOU CAN SEE OUR PHONE SERVICE WENT UP SLIGHTLY.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS BASICALLY ON TRACK TO WHAT WE PROPOSED FOR OUR '21 BUDGET. AND OUR PROPOSED '22 BUDGET IS RIGHT ON TRACK AS BUSINESS AS USUAL, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE 911 COA AND TAYLOR COUNTY DISPATCHER LINE ITEMS INCREASED FOR THE CITY AND DECREASED FOR THE COUNTY. THAT IS BASED ON THE BUDGETING NUMBER THAT IS WE RECEIVED FROM BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY FOR THE 60% REIMBURSEMENT. YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY PHONE TRANSFER HAS INCREASED DUE TO EQUIPMENT REFLERESHES FOR ADMINISTRATION. I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> SO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND SOMETHING CORRECTLY, IN THE UPCOMING YEAR, 2022, WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE COLLECTING A 911 FEE OFF OF PHONE SERVICE AND THAT'S WHY THE 911 DISTRICT GETS THEIR INCOME, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. >> NO OTHER PLACE DO THEY GET

INCOME EXCEPT FOR THAT FEE? >> WE GET IT FROM THE SURCHARGE, THE WIRED LINE FEE AND THE WIRELESS FEE.

[00:25:03]

>> YES, BUT IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH A A SURCHARGE OR A FEE CHARGED ON YOUR TELEPHONE BILLS OR MOBILE BILLS?

>> YES. >> AND THOSE ARE IN THE SERVICE OF THE CITIZENS WITH 911 SERVICE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. WITH ALLOWABLE EXPENSES ALLOW US TO FUND ANYTHING AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT.

>> AND I THINK THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE BOARD IS DOING A CRACKER JACK JOB ON THAT. THE REASON I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CLEAR IS BECAUSE, I UNDERSTAND AS PEOPLE BEGIN TO INSERT OPINIONS INTO THINGS, I DON'T WANT TO GET THE BOARD OR THE DISTRICT IN A BIND BY NOT COLLECTING ENOUGH ON THE FEES THAT WE SET EVERY YEAR. FOR AS I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD A LONG TIME AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN 6% FOR HOW MANY YEARS? A LONG TIME.

>> SINCE 2006. >> THE LAST BOARD MEETING WE LOWERED THAT PERCENTAGE TO WHAT, 2%?

>> 2%. >> AND NOW WE'RE GETTING TO THE OTHER PERCENTAGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO SET. HOW IS GOING FROM 6% TO 2% ARE WE STILL THAT WE CAN DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE INCLUDING ANY UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WE COULD HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO. THAT'S MY CONCERN WITH THIS BUDGET. AND IF YOU AS THE ADMINISTRATION CAN TELL ME THAT THIS BUDGET, YOU FEEL THAT WAY, THEN I'M GOOD. BUT, I WANTED TO ASK THE SPECIFIC QUESTION OF THAT.

>> YES, SIR, AND I CAN GET INTO MORE DETAIL ON THAT WHEN WE GET TO THE ACTUAL AGENDA ITEM. BUT THIS IS FORECASTED USING THE NUMBERS WE'RE RECOMMENDING. YES.

>> OKAY. THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.

>> WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THE '22 BUDGET BEING ALMOST HALF THE

'21 BUDGET. >> WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED ANY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT APPROVALS YET. YOU'LL SEE ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW, MR. SAXTON ADDED IN THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THAT INCREASED OUR EXPENDITURES

ALREADY. >> SO, AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS, THIS IS THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT YOU ARE APPROVING.

IT DOESN'T REFLECT THE IMMEDIATE CHANGES FROM THIS MEETING ON

THIS PAPER. >> PLUS, I'M THINKING, I MAY BE WRONG BUT I'M THINKING THAT THE CITY OF ABILENE BUILT A NEW DISPATCH CENTER LAST YEAR TOO, RIGHT?

>> IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO NOW. >> AND THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT FROM THE BOARD, BUT AGAIN, THE TAYLOR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCH GOT FULL CUSTOMER PERMITS EQUIPMENT REFRESH AND NEW WORK STATIONS AND WE ANTICIPATE MORE EXPENSES FROM TAYLOR COUNTY WHEN THEY RELOCATE IF THEY RELOCATE. SO

>> SO, THE MONEY WE APPROVE TODAY KIND OF BRINGS IT CLOSER.

>> YES, SIR? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY. >> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE REVISED FY 2021 PROPOSED 222 BUDGET.

[12. Discussion and Action to Perform an Audit of Service Suppliers Lines, Billing, and Fees]

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

(CHORUS OF AYES) >> PASSES.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 12. THIS IS DISCUSSION AND ACTION TO PERFORM AN AUDIT OF SERVICE, SUPPLIERS, LINES, BILLING, AND FEES. I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS EXTENSIVELY SINCE I GOT MY PACKET TELLING ME WHAT'S IN THIS AGENDA AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THIS IS AN

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS AN EFFORT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ASKED US TO DO A YEAR AGO WAS TAKE A LOOK AT THE BILLING SYSTEMS OUT THERE WHEN WE STARTED RECEIVING FEEDBACK THAT THE ATT SERVICE PROVIDER RATES WERE RISING FASTER THAT COULD BE AFFORDED BY COUNTIES OR CITIZENS. SO, WE STARTED TAKING A LOOK AT IT AND WHAT WE REALIZED, WE COULD NOT FIND A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT WHERE WE SURVEYED PROVIDERS AND DID LINE COUNTS AND STHEN RECEIVED INDICATIONS HOW THEY WERE ASSOCIATES OUR FEE OR SERVICE CHARGE WAS ONTO THOSE LINES ONTO CONSUMERS OR BUSINESSES. SO, IT BECAME A FOGGY VOID ON HOW PARTICULAR TOCOS ARE ASSIGNING THOSE PERCENTAGES OR FEES OR HOW

[00:30:06]

THEY WERE COLLECTING THEM. SO, WE COULD NOT WITH 100% ACCURACY FORECAST REVENUES OR COST OR ANYTHING OF THOSE THIS THINGS WITHOUT KNOWS HOW MANY FEES WE WERE COLLECTING OR FROM WHOM.

THIS IS AN EFFORT TO DOCUMENT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT I BELIEVE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BOARD. AND GO FROM THERE. AND HOPEFULLY DURING THAT PROCESS WE'LL GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WITH NOT ONLY THE COMMUNICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD THAT THERE ARE SINGS THAT WE CAN DO AS A BOARD DIFFERENTLY THAT WILL MAKE THIS CLEARER AND EASIER TO UNDERSTAND FOR ALL CONCERNED.

>> I THINK THIS IS GREAT. IT KEEPS US HEALTHY AND I'M ALL FOR

THIS. >> YES. SO, THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> SO, FOR US TO DO OUR JOB AS THE 9-1-1 DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS, WE HAVE TO HAVE GOOD ASWERS. AND RIGHT NOW, OUR ADMINISTRATION IS TELLING US THAT THEY CAN'T GIVE US GOOD ANSWERS UNTIL WE HAVE AN AUDIT SO THEY CAN HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND THEN PASS THAT KNOWLEDGE TO US TO KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TELEPHONE COMPANIES AND WHAT THEY CHARGE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. I WANT TO REITERATE, WE'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TELLING TELEPHONE COMPANIES HOW MUCH TO CHARGE OR HOW TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS, BUT WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF TAKING A PORTION OF THOSE FEES, THUS OUR NAME GETS BROUGHT INTO IT WITH THEM.

AND WE CAN'T ACCURATELY DEFEND OURSELVES OR EVEN GO OUT AND REQUEST THINGS DIFFERENT UNLESS WE KNOW WHAT THE SPECIFICS ARE.

AND THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION IS TELLING US THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE SOMEBODY AUDIT THOSE NUMBERS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. >> WHOSE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?

>> IT WOULD BE A VENDOR OF OUR CHOOSING BUT WE'RE LOOKING TO THE 911 ALLIANCE AND GET A RECOMMENDATION.

>> WHAT'S THE COST OF THAT? >> WE DON'T KNOW THAT AS OF

YET. >> BALLPARK?

>> IT WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO GUESS THAT BUT I'M THINKING THAT WE CAN BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD WHEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS. I THINK IT'S GOING TO VARY, SOME ALLIANCE DONE VERY SMALL AUDITS, AND OTHERS HAVE DONE ACROSS THE BOARD WHICH ACTUALLY INCREASES THE EXPENSE AND WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE BUT I COULDN'T GIVE YOU AN ANSWER ON

THE COST OF THAT TODAY. >> AND MY ISSUE RIGHT THIS SECOND IS, I THINK THAT THE IDEA IS AWESOME. IT'S JUST I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME BACK AND PAY $1 MILLION FOR AWESOME.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> YES, SIR.

>> AND, I KNOW THE QUESTION WILL BE ASKED OF ME, WELL, WHY DOESN'T OUR ADMINISTRATION DO THAT. AND I WOULD JUST LIKE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. SO THAT I WILL HAVE AN ANSWER TO

IT. >> WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCE TOSS DO ANY OF THAT SO THERE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL CHARGES FROM CITY ADMINISTRATION AND WE WOULD LIKELY OUTSOURCE THAT OURSELVES RATHER THAN ADD THAT BURDEN TO FINANCE, WHO ALSO DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PERFORM THAT AUDIT. SO, EITHER WAY, IT'S GOING TO BE AN OUTSIDE SUPPLIER THAT DOES IT.

>> AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA, IT WILL GIVE US A BASE THAT WE'VE NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME, NOT WITH ANYTHING THAT'S INTERNAL BUT WITH WHAT WE DEAL WITH THAT'S EXTERNAL, AND IT WILL HELP ME UNDERSTAND A LOT BETTER AT TIMES, THIS LAST TIME WHEN WE HAD ALL THESE PEOPLE WRITING IN AND CALLING ME ABOUT THE FEE THAT IS WE CHARGE YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T GIVE THEM AN INTELLIGENT ANSWER BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WE CHARGE A FEE TO. I DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS DOING WHAT OR WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND WE WERE GETTING THE BLAME.

AND IF I'M GOING TO GET THE BLAME, I NEED TO BE BLAMED FOR SOMETHING I DID, NOT SOMETHING I DIDN'T DO.

>> EVEN AT THE LAST MEETING, I THINK WE DISCUSSED THIS, NO ONE COULD PROVIDE THE ANSWER, AND I THINK AN AUDIT IS IN ORDER TOO, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE CHAIRMAN IS THAT WE SHOULD RESEARCH THE COST BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION ON APPROVING IT?

>> I DON'T EVEN MIND GOING AHEAD AND APPROVING IT, AS LONG AS WE DON'T STEP OUT ON A LIMB HERE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE CORRECT PROCESS FOR HOW MUCH IT COSTS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

[00:35:01]

>> YES, SIR. >> AND YOU KNOW, I HAVE COME TO APPRECIATE OUR ADMINISTRATION OF THE 911 BOARD ALLOT. SO I'M DEFERRING TO YOUR DECISION TO TAKE IT OUT. I JUST DON'T WANT TO SIGN A BLANK CHECK IS MY DEAL. SO, AS THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS RECOMMENDATION. I JUST DON'T I WANT TO MAKE IT ON THE RECORD, THAT I DON'T WANT TO SIGN A BLANK CHECK. SO, HOWEVER WE NEED TO DO THAT IS FINE WITH ME.

>> HOW OFTEN DOES THE ADMINISTRATION EXPECT OR RECOMMEND THAT WE PERFORM AN AUDIT OF THIS TYPE?

>> WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A HISTORICAL BASIS SINCE IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION, I THINK TIS IS A ONE-SHOT DEAL UNTIL YEARS PASS AGAIN AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO DRAMATICALLY, THAT THE BOARD FEELS IT NEEDS TO TAKE A RELOOK AT THIS. I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A ONE-SHOT THING, UNLESS THERE'S AN ONSLAUGHT AND REQUESTS FOR DATA.

>> AND IS THIS A BEST PRACTICE THAT OTHERS PERFORM AROUND THE

STATE? >> IT IS A BEST PRACTICE.

>> SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. >> DO WE NEED TO TAKE A MOTION.

>> CHAIRMAN, JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE NOT STHUR HOW MUCH WE'RE LOOKING AT AND FUNDED, BUT YOU'RE STANCE AGAIN ON WETHER OR NOT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL OF US. WE HAVE NO FRAME OF REFERENCE ON HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST US.

>> AND AGAIN, I THINK WE SHOULD MY OPINION, I THINK WE SHOULD APPROVE THIS RECOMMENDATION AND ASK OUR ADMINISTRATION SO COME

BACK TO US WITH A COST. >> UNDERSTOOD. UNDER THOSE

CIRCUMSTANCES -- >> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FIRMS THAT SPECIALIZE IN DOING THESE TYPES OF AUDITS AND YOU CAN HAVE THEM SET UP DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME PEOPLE CHARGE A FLAT FEE FOR IT, SOME PEOPLE CHARGE A COMMISSION ON THE REVENUES THEY FIND THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. SO, THERE ARE A COMBINATION, SO IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS SET UP. SO.

>> LIKE, I SAID I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THIS DECISION.

>> SO AM I. >> I JUST LIKE TO BE INFORMED SO WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COST.

>> I MOVE THAT WE GIVE ADMINISTRATION PERMISSION OR APPROVAL TO PERFORM THIS AUDIT PENDING APPROVAL OF THE COST AT

A FUTURE DATE. >> SECOND.

>> SO, WE HAVE A A MOTION ON THE TABLE THAT WE APPROVE THE PERFORMING OF THE AUDIT BY THE ADMINISTRATION AT THEIR DISCRETION PENDING THE COST COMING BACK TO THE BOARD, IS

THAT RIGHT? >> YES.

>> AND I HAVE A SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[13. Discussion and Action for appointing the Director and Secretary of the Board]

(CHORUS OF AYES) IT CARRIES. >> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WHICH IS DISCUSSION AND ACTION FOR APPOINTING THE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY OF THE BOARD. NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT AGENDA ITEM 13 IN YOUR PACKET, IS IT YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT OF THE BACKGROUND THAT THIS COMES FROM. THERE'S NO RECORD OF THE BOARD APPOINTING THE DIRECTOR OR THE SECRETARY POSITIONS. THIS IS HOUSEKEEPING AND CLEANUP OF RECORD KEEPING REQUIRED BY SECTION 772.306. MR. BOB VAN WOLFRAT HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF DIRECTOR FOR TWO YEARS, SHARLA ALLISON HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF SECRETARY FOR A YEAR AND FOR THE LAST TWO BOARD MEETINGS HAS KEPT THE BOARD'S MEETS, RECORDS, AND MINUTES. IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BOARD BY RESOLUTION APPOINT ROBERT BOB, VAN WOLFRAT AS DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY AND CRYSTAL SHARLA ALLISON. HER TITLE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE IS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND AS THE SECRETARY SHELL BE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THE SUBSECTION OF THE SECTION THAT I JUST SAID AWHILE AGO. THAT IS, A MOUTHFUL. BUT, BASICALLY, IT'S GIVING BOB VAN WOLFRAT, THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF OUR ADMINISTRATION THAT IS ALSO DONE

[00:40:05]

THROUGH THE CITY OF ABILENE. BOB, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOUR JOB AT THE CITY OF ABILENE IS.

>> CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE AND IN THAT WE DEAL WITH A TON OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ISSUES ACROSS THE CITY AND WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNTY AND WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. AND ALSO, IN CONCERT WITH POLICE DISPATCH AND DISPATCH SYSTEMS SO WE'RE INTEGRATED WITH THAT WORK IT'S PRETTY MUCH A NATURAL FIT TO EXTEND THAT RESOURCE, I THINK WE'RE WELL-SUITED AND HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING THE BOARD MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO

THAT. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS

FROM THE BOARD? >> OKAY.

>> DO WE WANT TO GIVE SHARLA THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME?

>> NO. [LAUGHTER]

>> I MOVE TO APPOINT THE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY OF THE

BOARD. >> I SECOND.

[14. Discussion and Action of setting the Emergency Service Fee for FY 2022]

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> (CHORUS OF AYES).

>> OKAY THAT PASSES. NEXT ONE IS DISCUSSION AND ACTION OF SETTING THE EMERGENCY SERVICE FEE FOR FY 2022 THIS IS THE ONE I ELUDED TO EARLIER. THIS IS THE FEE THAT GOES ON THE PHONE BILLS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY, AND WHAT WE COLLECT, THIS IS HOW OUR REVENUE HAPPENS, AND SO, I'LL BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO SAY IN

REGARD TO THIS FEE. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> AS YOU ARE AWARE, IN OUR LAST BOARD MEETING WE DROPPED THE EMERGENCY SERVICE FEE FROM 6% OF THE BASE RATE TO 2% IN OUR MAY MEETING. ATTS MONTHLY BASE RATE INCREASED BY 50%. SO, LAST YEAR'S BASE RATE FOR RESIDENTIAL WAS $31, THIS YEAR IT WILL BE $34. WE VBT SEEN HISTORICALLY, A HUGE INCREASE IN THE RESIDENTIAL LINES. BUT BUSINESS BASE RATES HAVE GONE FROM $279 TO $419 THIS YEAR, IN '22 THIS COMING YEAR. THE LINES WENT FROM $370 TO $555. SO THEY HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THEIR FEES AGAIN. IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT WE LOWER OUR PERCENTAGE OF THE BASE RATE TO 1.5%. THAT WOULD KEEP US IN THE BUDGET, IT WILL KEEP US IN THE BLACK AND STILL PROVIDE PLENTY OF REVENUE FOR CONTINGENCIES AND EMERGENCIES.

>> THIS KEEPS US FROM OPERATING AT A PROFIT, WHICH BY STATUTE WE

DO NOT DO. >> WE'RE ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE FOR CONTINGENCIES AND EQUIPMENT REFRESHES AND THAT

SORT OF THING, YOU ARE CORRECT. >> WE'RE LOWERING IT SO WE DON'T BURDEN THE TAXPAYER EVEN MORE. SO WE DON'T WIND UP IN A SITUATION LIKE WE WERE IN BACK IN MAY.

>> RIGHT. >> WHERE WE HAVE OUTRAGED

CITIZENS WITH $25, $35 911 FEES. >> IT BOILS DOWN IS WE'RE TRYING TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY.

>> SO, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WE'RE NOT CHANGING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE TAKING IN JUST THE PERCENTAGE BECAUSE OF THE COST.

>> WE MADE OUR BEST EFFORT TO ADJUST OUR PERCENTAGE TO KEEP THE COST PER LINE ROUGHLY THE SAME.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> I MOVE TO THAT WE APPROVE THE SETTING OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICE FEE FOR FY '22.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

(CHORUS OF AYES). >> ANY OPPOSED?

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> I THINK THE LAST THING ON

OUR AGENDA IS ADJOURN. >> I MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN.

>> I SEC

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

Sep 22, 2021 9-1-1 District Board of Directors

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