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Anderson facing crucial dispatch center votes [The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind. :: ](Herald Bulletin (Anderson, IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 06--ANDERSON -- A decision that could potentially cost the city of Anderson millions of dollars in the future may be delayed by the Anderson City Council this week. The Public Safety Interoperable Communication Board, working on an agreement between local fire departments and government entities to combine 911 dispatch services, is moving forward with the purchase of a new radio system. Anderson is the only local city that has not approved the inter-local agreement. But action is expected by the Anderson Board of Public Safety on Monday and by the city council on Thursday. The board is looking at purchasing a new radio system and plans to request proposals for a new communications system in August, with the hope of having the combined 911 dispatch center in operation by the end of the year. The estimated cost of the new radio system is $18 million, but consultant Terry Burnworth with Pyramid Architecture, said the actual cost will be lower. "We're still looking at $9 to $10 million," Burnworth said. "If the cost is more than $12 million, there will have to be a referendum vote." The committee has narrowed the search for a vendor to supply the new radio system down to two companies. "Right now it's a two-horse race," Jerry Branson, director of the Madison County Information Technology Department, said. "We're not interested in other vendors." The Madison County Council has been asked to consider a bond issue to pay for the radio system. If Anderson decides not to participate in the combined dispatch services, it has been estimated the county will save $2.5 million on the cost of the new radio system, which will allow communications between all fire and police agencies. If the city joins at a late date, the expected cost is $4 million. Anderson City Attorney Ashley Hopper said the council will be asked to approve a resolution for the city to take part in the combined dispatch center. Councilman David Eicks said Wednesday that he asked the administration of Mayor Kevin Smith to withdraw the request for a month. Eicks said if the resolution is not withdrawn, he will ask the council to table the matter. "I'm trying to get some answers," Eicks said of the agreement. "The information provided to us last week is not accurate on wages and health insurance for city employees." Under the proposed agreement, the dispatchers working for the city of Anderson will become employees of the county. Anderson Police Chief Larry Crenshaw said he has worked to make sure the city employees are not impacted by the salary matrix for the dispatch center. "We will have people at the council meeting to answer all the questions," Crenshaw said. "I worked hard on protecting the city employees." Eicks said he is also concerned about the fact that Anderson will have three representatives on the nine-member board that sets dispatch center policies and procedures. He believes the city should have more than three people on the board because Anderson is supplying a significant portion of the funding. Eicks said he is asking for the continuance because he won't be able to attend the meeting. "I also want the questions answered," he said. As proposed, the dispatch center budget would be $3.2 million with Anderson providing $1.2 million, along with $680,000 in E911 fees; $1 million from Madison County; $250,000 from the fire departments; and $180,000 from Alexandria and Elwood. Crenshaw has estimated the city will save a minimum of $300,000 per year by joining the consolidated dispatch center. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 640-4863. Coming up --Committee working on combined 911 dispatch center for Madison County preparing to accept proposals in August for new radio system. Anderson only local government entity not to sign on board. --Anderson Board of Public Safety to consider final approval for agreement at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers. --Anderson City Council to consider agreement at 7 p.m. Thursday. Councilman David Eicks wants resolution tabled to August over employee benefit concerns and representation on nine-member board. ___ (c)2014 The Herald Bulletin (Anderson, Ind.) Visit The Herald Bulletin (Anderson, Ind.) at www.theheraldbulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |