County to vote on dispatch agreement

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August 31, 2010

Interlocal agreement based on CCC’s merger recommendation

By KEN de la BASTIDE Tribune enterprise editor The Kokomo Tribune Tue Aug 31, 2010, 11:43 PM EDT

Kokomo — Two months after a recommendation was made to consolidate the city and county dispatch centers, the Howard County commissioners are moving forward with a proposal.

During its meeting Tuesday, The Citizen’s Committee for Consolidation asked for an update on where the merger discussions stood.

Commissioner Bill Thompson said the commissioners at the Sept. 7 will consider voting to approve an interlocal agreement with the city to carry out the CCC recommendation made in July.

The CCC recommended the sheriff oversee the operations of a combined dispatch center, with a budget of $1.4 million. The operating costs would be shared, with Kokomo paying 70 percent and the county 30 percent. All 911 fees would be used for the operating costs.

“Consolidating dispatch is a must,” Thompson said.

If the commissioners approve the interlocal agreement, it will be forwarded for review to Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, Thompson said.

He noted federal and state funding is being provided to increase personnel in the Kokomo police and fire departments and the city is building a new fire station.

“We are looking at ways to cut costs on dispatch, the very life blood of our first responders that serve and protect us,” Thompson said. “We must consolidate with our eyes wide open.”

The details of the interlocal agreement are not being made public until the mayor has an opportunity to review the document.

Thompson said city and county officials have been working to resolve the issues. He believes city officials are away of the details of the interlocal agreement and the budget proposals.

He said there are three proposed budgets that will be presented to city officials. One budget is for $1.4 million and the other two are for higher and lesser amounts.

Two documents will be provided to city officials: the interlocal agreement and the budget proposals, Thompson said.

A sticking point is the difference between salaries and benefits for city and county dispatchers.

Thompson said the number of employees will depend on the budget approved by both entities.

If approved by the commissioners, the agreement would have to be approved by the Kokomo Common Council and the Howard County Council before implementation takes place.

CCC members asked if the agreement could be in place to reflect the merged dispatch centers in the 2011 proposed budgets for the city and county.

Thompson said he wasn’t sure the merged budgets could be included in the budget proposals. He said budget adjustments could be made after Jan. 1.

In August, Goodnight threw his support behind the cost-saving plan to combine the dispatch services and urged the Kokomo Common Council to do the same.

• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

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