Download BOCW062206.pdf

Contents : KENT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Thursday June 22 2006 CENTRAL DISPATCH AUTHORITY WORK SESSION Administration Building - Room 310 Meeting called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Chair Roger C. Morgan. Present: Commissioners Boelema Bulkowski Hiddema Horton Klein Koorndyk Mast Mayhue Morren Postmus Rolls Tanis Vander Molen Vaughn Vonk Voorhees Wahlfield Chair Morgan - 18. Absent: Agee 1 (Excused). INTRODUCTION Chair Morgan introduced Curtis Holt Chair of the Central Dispatch Authority Interim Administrative Policy Board to review its report and recommendations (a copy of which is on file in the Office of the County Clerk). BACKGROUND In May 2005 the BOC entered into an agreement with the cities of Grandville Walker & Wyoming to establish and provide interim funding for the Kent County Central Dispatch Authority. The Interim Board members are: Curtis Holt (Chair) Wyoming City Manager Larry Stelma Sheriff Art Tanis County Commissioner Chuck Deschaine Walker City Commissioner Joe Sierawski Grandville City Council Member Purpose of Interim Board: Evaluate the findings of the Kent County E911 Central Dispatch Implementation Plan Final Report (2004) - Form a Dispatch Authority - Construct and operate a Consolidated Dispatch Center - Move to a new 800 MHz radio Platform - Levy .55 mills to fund the annual cost SUMMARY The original goals of the Kent County Dispatch Authority (set forth in 2004) cannot be attained at the present time. It is estimated that the cost of operating a centralized dispatch center exceeds the cost of existing dispatch operations for Kent County Wyoming Walker and Grandville by over $1 million annually. Should the Authority move forward irrespective of the cost without participation of all municipalities with primary service answering points (PSAPs) it would not achieve the objective of a countywide centralized dispatch. The inclusion of the City of Grand Rapids is welcomed RECOMMENDATIONS The Interim Board recommends that: consolidation be delayed technology improvements to standardize and integrate dispatch centers be pursued data collection and performance measures be standardized across all dispatch centers Assumption #1 Full participation in the Authority is recognition by all municipalities of the countywide E911 emergency communications challenges and demonstrates a willingness to collaboratively identify fund and implement solutions Assumption #2 Participation by Municipalities with primary PSAPs does not necessitate or equate to combining all existing PSAPs into a single centralized dispatch center Assumption #3 Make use of a telephone operational surcharge as a user fee supported funding mechanism for Authority Initiatives FINDINGS 1) Resources should be directed toward technology and operations collaboration among existing dispatch centers to enhance interoperability and interagency awareness to improve the level of service for responding public safety agencies thereby improving response to the public. 2) The real benefit is that each PSAP can focus resources on operation while the Authority works collaboratively to replace update enhance standardize and integrate needed technology. 3) The Authority can and should continue to pursue a long-term solution to resolve radio communications system limitations as a technology initiative. The key is the PSAPs doing it together. FUTURE Formalize Authority Board Delay implementation of a Central Dispatch Center The Authority should focus on implementing technology initiatives not PSAP consolidation Resolve radio communications as a technology initiative Assess a telephone wire line operational surcharge to fund Authority initiatives Formal board will select rank and implement initiatives Advocate expansion of Emergency Telephone Service Enabling Act (PA32 of 1986) to include new technologies (Mr. Holt asked for any questions from Commissioners at this time.) QUESTIONS Commissioner Mast Where do cities that are not already with the program stand Where will the funding to implement come from Mr. Holt - The interim board was formed with those communities that have PSAPs. Kentwood purchases its service from the KCSD and is represented by the Sheriff s Department. Grand Rapids did not want to be a party however they have had representatives at all meetings and have participated in the process. The contract that is recommended (restated agreement for Kent County Dispatch) includes Grand Rapids as a party to the agreement and as part of the Dispatch Authority. The funding will come through the surcharge (4% landline surcharge). It will take 3-5 years to get the technology in place to know exactly where the radio communications will be in order to then look at the future beyond that. Commissioner Klein Can you explain the statement (pg 6) Stability of future revenues expects to be resolved by 2010 Do

INFO HASH : cd0db7937192888c0ec616e40e9af0111b849789

Download now

File Size: 33.2 kb