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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-18-2001-5a7 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 18, 2001 Action Agenda Item No. -A SUBJECT: Support of Extended Area Service (EAS) for Orange and Durham Counter DEPARTMENT: Purchasing PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:. Pam Jones, 245-2652 or Resolutions David Cannell 245-2651 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider two resolutions supporting establishment of Extended Area Service (EAS) calling from Orange County to Durham County. BACKGROUND: In March of 1993 EAS was established for Orange County citizens who had telephone service through Centel (now Sprint), Bellsouth and Mebane Home Phone (now Mebtel). A surcharge is assessed on each phone number but allows Orange County citizens free local calls within the County. GTE (now Verizon) implemented a calling plan whereby toll charges are charged at a significantly reduced rate, however, they are the only phone company in the County who chose not to participate in the 1993 EAS effort. With the growth throughout the County, an increasing number of Orange County neighborhoods are being split by the calling plan disparities. The Town of Chapel Hill has recently initiated an effort to once again bring the EAS matter before the Utilities Commission. Further, the Triangle J Council of Governments has expressed a willingness to explore the issue. Triangle J spearheaded a multi jurisdictional effort that was ultimately responsible for the original success in 1993. The first attached resolution is intended express the Board's desire for the Utilities Commission to require that Verizon offer EAS to their customers living in Orange County and to offer toll free calling to Durham for all citizens living in Orange County. The second resolution asks Triangle J Council of Governments to join the effort to expand EAS to include calls to Durham County. Similar resolutions were adopted by the Chapel Hill Town Council on October 23, 2000. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with these resolutions RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolutions. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION ASKING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION BEGIN PROCEDURES TO ESTABLISH AN EXTENDED AREA SERVICE PLAN FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE IN ORANGE COUNTY AND DURHAM COUNTY WHEREAS, residents of Orange County are served by multiple telephone companies with varying calling plans; and WHEREAS, these multiple calling plans create confusion and, at times, extra costs for Orange County residents who live in both Orange and Durham counties; and WHEREAS, citizens have voiced concern over the confusion and cost of these plans; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board hereby requests that the North Carolina Utilities Commission begin procedures to establish an Extended Area Service Plan for telephone service in Orange County and Durham. This the 18th day of January, 2001. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS TELEPHONE SERVICE PROBLEMS AS A REGIONAL ISSUE WHEREAS, residents of Orange County are served by multiple telephone companies with varying calling plans; and WHEREAS, these calling plans affect residents' abilities to call other Triangle citizens; and WHEREAS, the Triangle J Council of Governments represents citizens from all areas of the Triangle; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that the Board hereby requests the Triangle J Council of Governments to address telephone service problems as a regional issue. This the 18th day of January, 2001.