Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the creation of the Central Texas Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District.
Body
DATE: April 15, 2025
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Creation of an Emergency Communications District
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) currently administers the State’s 9-1-1 Program for the city and county. CTCOG reached out to the City about an opportunity for participants in the CTCOG program to have a larger impact on policy and fiscal matters than is now available through the state administrative program.
Currently, citizens and businesses are charged 50 cents on their phone bills to pay for 9-1-1 services. This money is remitted to and held by the state until the legislature appropriates all or part of the funds collected to the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications, which then allocates the funds to CTCOG. However, the legislature does not always appropriate all the funds collected from our region to CTCOG.
If an Emergency Communications District (ECD) is created, the funds collected through the maximum 50 cent fee would be remitted in their entirety to the District. In addition to all the funds collected from our region coming back to our region, a major benefit would be that a long-range strategic plan could be adopted based on a known and reliable stream of revenue. Policy and budgetary matters would be decided by a Board of Directors consisting of local elected officials from entities served by the CTCOG 9-1-1 program. CTCOG would continue to staff the district to ensure no disruption to the current services provided.
To create an ECD, the governing body of each entity now served by CTCOG must pass a resolution calling for the creation of the ECD.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the creation of the Central Texas Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This action conforms to city policy and applicable law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
N/A
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
N/A
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
N/A
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the creation of the Central Texas Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Resolution
Presentation