Item B: 2009 Legislative Policies Document

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City of Eugene Legislative Policies for 2009 Oregon Legislative Session B. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND 9-1-1 SERVICES B1. Protection of 9-1-1 Tax Revenues ?Eugene opposes the use of dedicated 9-1-1 funds from being expended for any purpose other than 9-1-1 services. 2001 and 2002 legislative actions resulted in the loss of 9-1-1- tax revenue and the elimination of all operating reserves. Since then, the revenue has not kept pace with expenditures, resulting in an FTE reduction in FY06. In FY09, the tax is expected to provide $1.7 million in revenue. Although the tax was reauthorized in 2007 to continue seamless 9-1-1 service throughout Lane County and the State of Oregon, it is important to keep those dedicated funds from being expended for any purpose other than 9-1-1 services. Diversion of 9-1-1 funds from the intended purpose for which they were collected from the public, can significantly set back the implementation and advancement of life-saving enhanced 9-1-1 technology. B2. 9-1-1 Telephone Excise Tax – Adequacy and Distribution ?Eugene supports increased revenue to local jurisdictions to operate 9-1-1 systems. ?Eugene supports a reevaluation of the 1% guaranteed distribution floor to counties. Revenue from the 9-1-1 telephone excise tax needs to be closely monitored to ensure that it adequately covers the full local cost of providing this mandated service. B3. Flexibility For PSAP Alignment ?Eugene supports legislation authorizing merit-based flexibility for multiple PSAP configuration in a county, using levels of services and realized cost savings as criteria. The City recognizes that some consolidation of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) should occur statewide. However, a one-size-fits-all approach of consolidating to a single PSAP per county could prove costly and reduce levels of service in Lane County and other regions. Lane County includes four PSAPs geographically spread out across the Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley, and Cascades, providing high standards of emergency response that a single PSAP alignment would be hard pressed to meet. Additionally, consolidation to a single PSAP might necessitate costs for new facilities. B4. Non-Emergency Number ?Eugene opposes the establishment of a single, statewide non-emergency number. Instead, the City supports local control in listing non-emergency police agency numbers in the front section of the telephone book. 19