SB 690 Summary

• Allows county commissions to impose a county sales tax (up to 1 percent) for emergency services including fire protection, law enforcement, ambulance service, emergency telephone services, and related equipment and operational costs, subject to voter approval.

• Requires county commissions to establish an emergency services board to administer funds and oversee emergency services provision; initial board consists of seven appointed members representing fire districts, ambulance districts, sheriff's department, municipalities, and the general public.

• Beginning in 1994, board members shall be elected rather than appointed, with three members elected from each county commission district and one at-large member who serves as chairman.

• Exempts emergency telephone service 911 boards existing prior to August 25, 2010 in certain counties from being classified as a body corporate and political subdivision unless the county commissioners unanimously vote to reclassify the board and approve transfer of related assets and liabilities.

• Grants emergency services boards power to plan 911 and dispatching systems, hire staff, receive and disburse tax revenues, contract for emergency services, and manage all funds and property dedicated to central emergency dispatching operations.