(A) Surcharge. A surcharge on all telecommunication carriers engaged in the business of transmitting messages by means of electricity within the corporate limits of the county, excluding the incorporated municipalities of Benton and West City, is established at $1.50 per month per network connection. This surcharge shall be pursuant to the various terms established in this section and shall commence being collected as soon as the Emergency Telephone System Board determines is practical.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ENHANCED 9-1-1 or E-9-1-1. A basic system with the additional capability of automatic identification of the caller’s number, holding the incoming call, reconnection on the same telephone line, clearing a telephone line or automatic call routing or any other capability or features then available or combinations of such capabilities
SERVICE ADDRESS. The location of the subscriber’s primary use of the network connection or connections.
(C) Network connection; 9-1-1 system.
(1) For purposes of computing the surcharge imposed by division (A) above, the network connection to which the surcharge shall apply shall be those in-service network connections located within the county.
(2) A 9-1-1 system which includes the ability to identify caller’s phone and address and the ability to selectively route phone calls to emergency services are exempt from the surcharge imposed by this section.
(D) Payment. The amount of surcharge due and owing shall be paid to the County Treasurer not later than 30 days after the surcharge liability accrues, net of any network or other 9-1-1 or sophisticated 9-1-1 system charges then due the particular telecommunications carrier, as shown on an itemized bill.
(E) Emergency Telephone System Board.
(1) There is hereby created an Emergency Telephone System Board, consisting of seven members who shall be appointed by the County Chairperson. Said Board shall consist as follows:
(a) One member who may be a public member and who is a resident of the local exchange service territory included in the 9-1-1 coverage area; and
(b) One of whom may be a member of the County Board and at least three of whom shall be representative of the 9-1-1 public safety agencies, including, but not limited to, police departments, fire departments, emergency medical service and disaster agencies and appointed on the basis of his or her ability or experience.
(2) Members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses. The powers and duties of the Emergency Telephone System Board shall be as follows:
(a) Planning a 9-1-1 system;
(b) Coordinating and supervising the implementation, upgrading or maintenance of the system, including the establishment of equipment specifications and coding systems;
(c) Receiving monies from the surcharge imposed under division (A) above and from any other source for deposit into the Emergency Telephone System Fund;
(d) Authorizing all disbursements from the Emergency Telephone System Fund;
(e) Hiring any staff necessary for the implementation or upgrade of the system;
(f) Be the authoritative body over the 9-1-1 system, making all decisions necessary for the operation of the system;
(g) Be the authoritative body over the advisory committee;
(h) The authority to name or re-name the streets and roads in unincorporated areas of the county; and
(i) To address homes, buildings and other structures in the unincorporated areas of the county.
(3) There is hereby created an Emergency Telephone System Board consisting of seven members who shall be appointed by the County Chairperson. Said members shall serve for three-year terms except for the first Board of which three shall serve for three years, two for two years and two for one year.
(4) The first Board shall determine who shall serve for which terms by lottery. Terms of office shall begin on April 1 of each year.
(F) Emergency Telephone System Fund. All monies received pursuant to the surcharge imposed under division (A) above shall be deposited into an Emergency Telephone System Fund. The County Treasurer shall be custodian of the Fund. All interest accruing on the Fund shall remain in the Fund. No expenditures may be made from such Fund except upon the direction of the Emergency Telephone System Board or by resolution passed by a majority of all members of that Board. Expenditures may be made only to pay for the cost associated with the following:
(1) The design of the Emergency Telephone System;
(2) The coding of an initial master street address guide data base and update and maintenance thereof;
(3) The repayment of any monies advanced for the implementation of the system;
(4) The charges for automatic number identification and automatic location identification equipment and maintenance, replacement and update thereof;
(5) The non-recurring charges related to installation of the Emergency Telephone System and the ongoing network charges; and
(6) Other products and services necessary for the implementation, upgrade, maintenance and operation of the system, including costs attributable directly to the construction, leasing or maintenance of any buildings or facilities or costs of personnel attributable directly to the operation of the system.
(G) Effective date. The ordinance from which the provisions of this section derive shall be in full force and effect on the first day of the month following its approval by a majority of the electors voting thereon.
(Ord. 1992-1, passed 1-13-1992; Ord. 1992-3, passed 4-21-1992; Ord.1994-10, passed 12-20-1994)