After careful consideration and meetings with NDACo, NDCCA, Auditor’s and Treasurer’s Association NDACo has agreed to offer a service for the collection and distribution of 9-1-1 fees. The service’s overall goal is to create efficiencies for county personnel and the telecommunications industry as it pertains to the calculation, remittance, and collection of 9-1-1 fees. More specifically, the service would provide transparency, support state and federal reporting requirements and allow NDACo to work on behalf of counties to make sure telecommunication remittances are appropriate.

The joint powers agreement (JPA) for “Collection and Distribution of 9-1-1 Fees” was distributed to counties for their consideration on September 1st of this year and, thus far, 45 of 53 county commissions have approved the JPA. NDACo is currently assessing support for the program, answering questions for counties who remain unsigned and remains hopeful that it can achieve 100% participation. 100% participation is ideal because it optimizes the efficiencies for all parties concerned. The program is targeting a January 1st 2024 start date but that date is entirely dependent on the number of counties who remain unsigned by the mid-November timeframe.

Essentially what the service offers is a centralized collection point for 9-1-1 fee remittances on wireline, wireless and VoIP phone service. NDACo would serve as that collection point, ensuring remittances are calculated correctly for each county, data is provided by telecommunications companies to support county needs, and funds such as the NG9-1-1 program and the SIRN program are funded appropriately. Funds remaining after deposits to the NG9-1-1 and SIRN programs would be deposited into each county’s 9-1-1 account, along with supporting data and documentation to fulfil local needs.

NDACo is ready to initiate the program though, counties should continue to receive 9-1-1 fee revenue directly. More correspondence will be coming out in coming weeks on the progress and whether or not the January 1st 2024 target date is achievable. Ultimately, formal requests to the telecommunications industry to re-direct 9-1-1 fee revenue from the county would be provided by NDACo only after NDACo determines there are enough counties to move forward with the program and then only for those counties who have signed the JPA.

Lastly, governance for this service and JPA is being developed by the ND 9-1-1 Association and the Auditor’s and Treasurer’s association. Provided that the JPA and service takes flight, it will be this governing board that will provide oversight and guidance to NDACo for administration of the program.