| Sec. 5. Operational funding; cost-distribution method; in-kind contributions. The |
| center operates on an equitable shared-funding basis, based on a |
| formula created by the board of directors and approved by the |
| governing council, that distributes costs on an equitable basis |
| that considers both fixed and variable costs and that reasonably |
| reflects call-volume usage, population or valuation. Each |
| participating agency and municipality that is a member of the |
| center shall contribute a portion of the operational costs on a |
| continuing basis. If they choose to participate in the center, |
| the Maine State Police and Kennebec County shall contribute for |
| the first 3 years at the amount established in the year of the |
| center's inception. In-kind contributions, including those |
| specific services for the center undertaken by participating |
| entities, must be calculated and included in the cost- |
| distribution formula. After the initial 3-year term of operation |
| of the center, the board of directors shall biannually approve a |
| formula for distribution of the center's operational costs. |