Section 1 [City and Town Accounting System Software] permits the State Auditor to charge a onetime user fee to cities, towns, and other government entities for the development, maintenance, and distribution of the small city and town accounting system software.  The State Auditor shall consult with specified groups to set the amount of the fee.  A city and town accounting system (CTAS) account is established in the special revenue fund.  The onetime fee charged in this section shall be credited to the CTAS account and appropriated to the State Auditor for all costs associated with the development, maintenance, and distribution of the CTAS software.  If the CTAS software ceases to be offered by the State Auditor, any amount remaining in the CTAS account shall be equitably refunded to users and the account shall be closed.  The State Auditor shall consult with specified groups to set the amount of the refund.

SJJ/rdr