The City of Plymouth is officially signing on to Marshall County’s centralized emergency dispatch service. An intergovernmental agreement was approved by the Plymouth Common Council Monday.
Police Chief David Bacon told council members the change was a long time coming. The city has already turned over much of its emergency dispatch to the county, with Plymouth only handling dispatch during daytime hours Monday through Thursday. With the new agreement, Marshall County will take over the rest of the city’s dispatch, starting January 1.
Marshall County has come up with a plan to divide the cost of dispatch services fairly among all its users. Plymouth’s share will be just under $128,000 in 2017.
But before council members approved the agreement, a few changes were requested. Each entity’s share of the cost is set to be reevaluated each year by a committee. However, after speaking with the Department of Local Government Finance, Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver requested that the agreement specifically state that the city’s year-to-year increase not exceed the growth quotient set by the state. That’s what determines the maximum tax levy the city’s allowed to collect.
The amended agreement was approved by the council Monday. The Marshall County Commissioners are expected to decide on the requested changes next week.
