Board Members Present: Clarence Babineaux, Archer Frierson, Van Anderson, David McCullough, and Reverend Roy Thomas

Board Members Absent: Sam Williamson, Fred McClanahan

Others Present: Martha Carter, Judy Rachal, Richard Stewart, Arthur Meacham, Beth Ann Carter, Howard Adkins, Wes Edge (9-1-1 Staff) Michael Wainwright (Legal Counsel)

Mr. Babineaux called the meeting to order and asked that attendance be noted. Mr. Babineaux asked the Board to consider a motion to approve the minutes of the Tuesday, October 16, 2007 meeting. Reverend Thomas moved and Mr. Anderson seconded the motion that the minutes be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Babineaux asked for the monthly financial report. Ms. Carter stated that for the month of October, the District had monthly revenues of $395,182.20 with total monthly expenditures of $194,930.51, which resulted in $200,251.69 in excess revenue over expenditures. Ms. Carter reported that on January 30, 2007, $1,235,405 was invested into a Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Note (FHLB). Ms. Carter stated that on November 15, 2007, the FHLB matured for $1,285,999, and these funds were transferred into the District’s checking account in preparation of issuing debt service payments in the amount of $1,155,651.75, which will be due on December 1, 2007.

Mr. Babineaux asked for a status report on the parish-wide mobile data project. Ms. Carter stated that a meeting was held at the end of October with all of the Caddo Parish public safety agencies to provide an overview of the system, the steps required for implementation, as well as the development of a cutover plan. Ms. Carter explained that system testing and final system acceptance procedures, training and project implementation timelines were also discussed. The agencies were informed that additional information would be needed from them. Most importantly, was the confirmation of vehicle count, make, and model. Ms. Carter explained that this information would be needed for the laptop mounts and length of cable needed for the antenna mounts. She stated that the modems had been ordered and should be shipped during the first week of December. An aggressive schedule is projected of installing 50 modems a week. Tentatively, the pilot test for using the dual band base stations is scheduled for the week of December 17th. The purpose of the pilot test is to verify that the system will not have any interference using the new dual band system. Also discussed was migrating the Shreveport Police Department onto the system first since they are an existing mobile data user and because of the number of units they utilize, they will be able to test the software for system loading. Ms. Carter stated that the challenge will be coordinating the vehicles being scheduled for installation of the equipment.

Ms. Carter stated the District is still working with Intergraph to finalize negotiations on the mobile data client software and a contract should be ready to send to the City of Shreveport by the first week of December. Also, information has been provided to the City for purchasing the 203 laptops for mid-December delivery. Ms. Carter stated that she would keep the board informed as changes are made to these dates.

Mr. Babineaux asked for a status report on the 800 MHz re-banding initiative. Ms. Carter stated that on October 30th, the District staff and representatives from RCC met with Motorola to discuss their proposal to reconfigure the District’s 800 MHz radio system to comply with the FCC Order, which mandates that the District move its frequencies as part of an overall effort by the FCC to reduce interference in the 800 MHz band. Even though Motorola proposal provided costs estimates to perform the reconfiguration, which included returning base stations, replacing radios or equipment that cannot be upgraded and reprogramming all radios, their estimate will increase due to the fact that they excluded over 500 radios as well as the District’s request for a more extensive comparability testing, (pre-banding and posting-banding) and equipment spares to be used at each tower site in the event of radio equipment failure. She stated that there are over 6,000 systems that are trying to re-band within the FCC’s timeline, and there are only so many Motorola engineers available. As a result, Motorola was requested to revise and resubmit another proposal to the District no later than January 15, 2008. Ms. Carter stated that since the Motorola estimate does not include the additional costs for the District’s staff and legal counsel nor RCC’s engineering costs, the revised proposal may well be in excess of $2,000,000.

Ms. Carter stated that on October 31st a conference call was held between RCC, District staff and the FCC’s Transition Administrator (TA) mediator assigned to the District to discuss the outcome of the meeting with Motorola. As a result of those discussions concerning the size, inter-operability issue, and complexity of our system, the TA filed an extension with the FCC on behalf of the District. Ms. Carter stated that within the required bi-weekly reports to the FCC, the District has been reporting all of the issues and the problems associated with the development of the FRA and that this project is too large to rush. Additionally, she stated that the FCC has mandated that once the FRA has been submitted to Sprint, the parties have 30 days to negotiate a FRA. Ms. Carter stated that an additional extension will need to be filed with the FCC directly by the District prior to December 15th outlining the problems associated with the development of the proposal and the new tentative timeline for submission to Sprint on February 15, 2008.

Mr. Babineaux asked for a report of the proposed amendments to the 2007 Operating and Capital Outlay Budget. Mr. Babineaux stated that the Budget/Investment Subcommittee had met to review the proposed amendments and asked Ms. Carter for an overview. Ms. Carter stated that the Public Hearing for review of the Proposed 2008 Operating/Capital Outlay Budget has been scheduled for December 11th at 6:00 p.m. and final recommendations will be submitted at the December 11th Board Meeting. Ms. Carter stated that a detailed narrative had been included in the board’s agenda package. In summation, the budget will be underspent by approximately $272,296 and revenues will decrease by $26,791 leaving an ending fund balance of $2,532,105. Within the detailed narrative, Ms. Carter stated that 2007 was the first time revenues have remained flat. She reported that the District will experience a decrease in wireless revenue of $40,000 due to a pre-paid wireless carrier refusing to remit surcharge fees. Ms. Carter stated that this is an issue that will have to be addressed legislatively. She stated that communications districts have statutory authority to assess a 9-1-1 telephone service charge fee on wireless subscribers. Virgin Mobile, a wireless service provider, which sells pre-paid phone services, has taken the position that since the term “pre-paid wireless service”, is not specifically mentioned in the current Louisiana statute, they feel that they do not have to remit and do not intend to do so. Virgin Mobile remitted surcharge fees from 2002 through December 2006. In 2004, legislation was introduced; however the bill did not make it out of committee. Ms. Carter reported that new legislation is currently being drafted to introduce during the 2008 legislative session. Ms. Carter stated that the FCC had ruled that the pre-paid wireless services are subject to the same requirements as any other Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) wireless services, but the assessment of fees would be remanded to state and local governments. She stated that even though the loss of this revenue will impact the District’s 2007 budget, she is hopeful that through the legislative action, it will be addressed within the 2008 revenue year.

Mr. Babineaux asked for a report on the proposed 2008 Operating and Capital Outlay Budget. Mr. Babineaux stated that the proposed budget had also been reviewed by the Budget/Investment Sub-committee. Ms. Carter reported that for 2008, the revenue projections do not include any anticipated growth. Total anticipated revenues will be approximately $6,809,998. Total expenditures will be approximately $4,439,980. If the District expends all monies as budgeted, the District will have an Ending Fund Balance of approximately $2,370,018.

Ms. Carter further stated job description updates and salary surveys were performed last year for each of the District’s staff positions and salaries were adjusted for the 2007 budget. Ms. Carter stated that based upon a cursory review of the industry for 2008, she felt that the salaries were in line with job functions and did not feel that any adjustments to salaries were necessary at this time. She stated that a 3.6% cost of living raise had been incorporated within the proposed budget, which was based upon information received from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which uses the Consumer Price Index for Wages, the Employment Cost Index and other indices.

Ms. Carter stated the District did not experience any increases in Health Insurance Costs from 2005 to 2006; however the 2007 District’s policy increased 11% based upon age bracket change of employees and actual and projected claims experience or medical costs. The District received renewal quotations for 2008 and the District’s premiums will increase approximately 7.7%. She reported that the national trend for medical cost increase is 14%. Additional proposals are being solicited to compare with the District’s current coverage to determine if there can be any cost savings by changing plans without reducing health care coverage and that information will be reported to the Board prior to the December meeting.

Ms. Carter stated that a new line item had been created for the replacement of the radio dispatch computers, which have not been upgraded since 1998. Also, included were funds for the replacement of the instant playback recorders, which are in excess of 10 years old. Ms. Carter reported that funds had also been proposed for the replacement of the Uninterrupted Power Supply Batteries (UPS) along with upgrading the existing security system for the facility.

Ms. Carter stated the Board must adopt a budget no later than 15 days prior to the end of the fiscal year, and a public hearing must be conducted. Ms. Carter explained that if there were any changes to the proposed budget that need to occur prior to the December meeting, the changes will be presented in the agenda packages for the December 11, 2007 Board meeting.

Mr. Babineaux called for any old or new business. With no further business to be brought before the Board, Mr. Babineaux adjourned the meeting.