HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0111 - 2026-08-25 - Informal ReportFORT WORTH.;
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
SUBJECT: TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE DISTRICT FY 27 BUDGET
APPROVAL - AUBRY INSCO, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS, DEPUTY
DIRECTOR/9-1-1 COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: 09/01/26 NUMBER: IR 26-0111
TO THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide an update on the Tarrant County 9-1-1
Emergency Assistance District's governance, organizational structure, priority initiatives, and
an overview of the District's FY27 budget, which requires Mayor and Council approval.
History:
In April 1985, the citizens of Tarrant County overwhelmingly approved (86.5% of the vote) a
referendum creating a communications district and giving the authorization to collect a service
fee. Following the 1985 balloting, the Tarrant County 9-1-1 Emergency Assistance District was
staffed and began implementation of 9-1-1 districtwide. On August 1, 1987, enhanced 9-1-1 was
implemented in Tarrant County. The District provides 9-1-1 service to all of Tarrant County, all
areas outside Tarrant County included in the corporate limits of each member city, DFW Airport,
and the City of Irving.
Governance and Mission:
A Board of Managers governs the Tarrant County 9-1-1 Emergency Assistance District,
comprised of two members appointed by the City of Fort Worth, one appointed by the
Commissioners Court, the City of Arlington, the City of Grand Prairie, the City of Irving, and the
Tarrant County Mayor's Council. One non -voting member represents the major service
supplier. The Tarrant County 9-1-1 Emergency Assistance District's mission is to continuously
provide reliable, accurate, responsive, and effective emergency communication networks and
services to our member jurisdictions ensuring the protection of life and property for citizens in
our community.
Key Deliverables:
• Ensure the availability of the 9-1-1 system to all people and entities within Tarrant County
9-1-1 District.
• Provide continuous improvement of systems and services through research and
implementation of industry "best practices."
• Enhance public education and awareness of available and future 9-1-1 services.
• To provide leadership in the areas of legislation, regulation, and technology.
• Advise, inform, and educate Telecommunicators to ensure adherence to federal and
state emergency communications laws and requirements.
Funding:
1 of 2
FORT WORTH,
Legislation under which the District was created authorizes the District to receive a monthly
per -line fee from each telephone customer of up to six percent of the dominant telephone
service provider's base rate. The following monthly 9-1-1 service fees on each telephone line
were approved on July 6, 2026, and adopted on October 1, 2026, by the Board of Managers.
Residential lines: $0.50 per line Business lines: $1.75 per line
Business trunks: $2.50 per trunk Nomadic VoIP: $0.50 per line
In addition to the fee established by the Board of Managers, the District also receives a portion
of the statewide surcharge on wireless telephone service. The surcharge is assessed at 50 cents
per activated handset and is distributed to 9-1-1 jurisdictions based on population.
FY27 Proposed Budget for the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District (attached) includes:
The following are highlights of expenditures for FY 2027:
• The District's overall operating budget for FY 2027 increased by $600,000.
• District will be performing router up gradation in FY 2027.
• An extensively expanded training program and assistance with pre -hiring testing to support
calltaker retention at participating PSAPs.
• An expanded public education emphasis with an outreach program strongly focused on
young consumers and family units.
• The GIS team will continue to work on addressing data to ensure optimal location accuracy
for wireless devices used to call for assistance. Ensuring the Master Street Address Guide
(MSAG) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data are current and match the National
Emergency Number Association (NENA) standards of 98% accuracy (currently at 99.22%).
• Continued focus on network security for both the PSAP and administrative networks.
Next Steps:
A Resolution will appear on the September 15, 2026, agenda for the Tarrant County 9-1-1
Emergency Assistance District FY27 budget approval for Council consideration.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Aubry Insco, Emergency
Management & Communications, Deputy Director/9-1-1 Communications Administrator at
682-362-3360.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
2 of 2