HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 1011 10STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of Amending the
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Enhanced 911 Excise Tax on the
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Use of switched access lines,
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Radio access lines, and
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Interconnected Voice Over
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Internet Protocol service lines
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05-1011-10
WHEREAS, JEFFERSON County currently collects local enhanced 911 excise tax to be
used for an emergency services communication system, which provides for rapid public access
for coordinated dispatching of services, personnel, equipment, and facilities for police, fire
medical, or other emergency services; and
WHEREAS, since March 1, 1987, the county enhanced 911 excise tax on the use of
switched access lines (landlines) in Jefferson County has remained at fifty cents per month for
each switched access line, the maximum allowed under State law; and
WHEREAS, since January 1, 2003, the county enhanced 911 excise tax on the use of
radio access lines (wireless -cellular) in Jefferson County has remained at fifty cents per month
for each radio access line, the maximum allowed under State law, and
WHEREAS, no county enhanced 911 tax on the use of interconnected voice over internet
protocol (VoIP) service lines has been imposed to date, although many who call 9-1-1 today are
using VoIP service lines to make the call; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature found that the state and counties should be
provided with . additional revenue to continue funding enhanced 911 emergency
communications systems throughout the state on a multicounty or countywide basis; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature further found that the appropriate method
of deriving additional revenue for this purpose is to extend the excise tax on the use of switched
access lines and radio access lines; and to apply the extended excise tax on the use of
interconnected voice over internet protocol service lines; and
WHEREAS, Substitute Senate Bill 6846 passed by the Washington State Legislature and
signed by Governor Christine Gregoire on April 13, 2010, provides for the legislative authority
of a county to impose, effective as early as January 1, 2011, a county enhanced 911 excise tax on
Ordinance No. 05-1011-10 re: Amending E911 Excise Tax Page: 2
the use of switched access, radio access, and interconnected voice over internet protocol service
lines in an amount not exceeding seventy cents per month for each line; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with this new legislation fiords generated by the enhanced
911 excise tax imposed by RCW 82.14B.030(5) may not be distributed to any county that has not
imposed the maximum county enhanced 911 excise tax allowed under RCW 82.14B.030(1) and
(2); and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County currently receives almost $326,305 annually for enhanced
911 network, database, and language line services from these State funds, for which the County
would not be eligible after December 31, 2010 unless it imposes the maximum county enhanced
911 excise tax allowed under RCW 82.14B.030(1) and (2); and
WHEREAS, in accordance with RCW 38.52.5 10 each county must implement
countywide or multicounty-wide enhanced 911 emergency communications systems so that
enhanced 911 is available throughout the state and the county must provide funding for the
enhanced 911 communications system in the county in an amount equal to the amount the
mum tax under RCW 82.14B.030(1) would generate in the county less any applicable
administrative fee charged by the department of revenue or the amount necessary to provide full
fimding of the system in the county,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Board of County Commissioners of
Jefferson County, Washington, that effective January 1, 2011 an Excise tax of seventy cents will
be imposed for each telephone switched access line and radio access line, and an Excise tax of
seventy cents will be imposed on Voice over Internet Protocol.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this lith day of October, 2010.
422aDelane:y, CMC
Clerk of the Board
Ordinance No. 05-1011-10 re: Amending E911 Excise Tax Page:3
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Jo ustin, Member
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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David Alvarez,
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Janet Silvus, Director
JeffCom 911
DATE: October 11, 2010
RE: Ordinance in the Matter of Amending the Enhanced 911 Excise
Tax
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
A public hearing is required to decide in the matter of amending the Enhanced 911 Excise Tax.
On January 1, 2011 counties may impose and/or amend an E911 excise tax for each switched
access line, radio access line, and interconnected voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service
line, in the amount not exceeding seventy cents per month. Counties imposing an E911 excise
tax must contract with the Department of Revenue for the administration and collection of the
tax prior to the effective date of the ordinance imposing the tax. The tax for switched access
line and radio access line has remained at fifty cents since 2003, and there has been no tax
imposed on VOIP. By imposing this tax, Jefferson County will comply with standards
adopted by the Washington State Legislature. Revenue from this tax will be used to fund
enhanced 911 communication systems in Jefferson County.
ANALYSIS:
Substitute Senate Bill 6846 passed by the Washington State Legislature and signed by
Governor Christine Gregoire on April 13, 2010 provides for the legislative authority of a
county to impose, effective as early as January 1, 2011 a county enhanced 911 excise tax.
Further, RCW 82.14B.030(5) accords that excise tax may not be distributed to any county that
has not imposed the maximum county enhanced 911 excise tax allowed under RCW
82.14B.030(1) and (2).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Jefferson County currently receives almost $326.305 annually for enhanced 911 services from
State funds, for which the County would not be eligible after December 31, 2010 unless it
imposes the maximum county enhanced 911 excise tax.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Ordinance Amending the Enhanced 911 Excise Tax.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Janet Silvas, JefiCom Director, ext. 788
REVIEWED BY:
eYl
hili
o g County A ' �strator Date
Jefferson County Fire Probation District No. 2.
Commissioner Davld {Hard Commissioner Debbie Randall
Chairman of the Board Commkcsioner Me Mthittaker
PO Box 433 RECEIVED
Quilcene, WA 98376
360-765-3333, fax 360-765-3960
® ® A A SEP 16 2010
Jefferson County Commissioners
Courthouse
Port Townsend, WA 98368
September 14, 2010
Dear Sirs:
The Commissioners of Jefferson Courtly Fire Protection D'!Wct No. 2 would like
me to convey to you that they are in support of the 200 increase on the
Enhanced 911 System.
Thank you,
r
dre
Morris
tary
J.C.F.P.D. NO.2
•
•
PO Box 42
272 Schoolhouse Road
Brinnon WA, 98320
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Phone: 360-796- 450
Fax: 360-796-3999
Cell: 360-301-3439
Web Site: www.BrinnonWe.big
Jefferson County
Board of County Commissioners
Post Office Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Honorable County Commissioners:
September 14, 2010
We, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Brinnon Fire Department, are submitting this letter of support for
the NG911 phone tax. While at this time the economy is slow and the thought of a new or increase in taxes does not
sit well with the community, serious thought needs to be given to what we will loose should your office decide not to
approve this increase.
Currently a phone subscriber pays 50 cents in an E911 tax; this tax will be replaced by the NG911 of 70
cents. The purpose for this increase is, as you are aware, to facilitate the ability forthe public to obtain 911 services
through text messaging, Voice over Internet Protocols (VOIP) as well as through the current 911 phone lines. This
broadening of 911 services reduces the amount of time that it would take to obtain law enforcement, Fire and EMS
services in the event of an emergency.
By not approving this increase the citizens of Brinnon as well as Jefferson County would loose the extra
funding provided by Washington State to pay for these improvements. Again we strongly urge you to support our local
911 centerand approve this increase.
Mr. Ron arrison, Chairman of the Board of fire Commissioners
Mr. Ken McEdwards, Fire Commissioner
0 Mr. Meril Smith, Fire Commissioner