During Public Input Argos Council Member Gary Schue requested that the Council search for other ways to fund dispatch across Marshall County including but not limited to a county or convenience tax. Currently Argos pays $12,500 as part of an Inter-Local agreement for services from Marshall County Dispatch.
Vice President Tim Harman, who sits on the Central Dispatch Committee, noted that the Inter-Local agreement requires voluntary participation; no one is forced. Each municipality has a representative on that board so each entity has a voice. “I personally like it because it’s a collaboration using resources without a tax increase.”
Schue questioned that if it is voluntary; what would the result be if Argos opted out.
Harman said he could not speak for those in charge but could not imagine that dispatch services would be denied; noting it as a legal issue that he could not answer with certainty.
Schue repeated his desire to have the Council consider finding other ways to fund dispatch without charging municipalities that are struggling financially.
He asked the Council to consider the impact of the municipalities charging the County for back up when provided.
He recommended a change of policy.
Council President Jesse Bohannon questioned whether the Council was the entity of authority over the Inter-Local agreement. Though the Council oversees the budget for dispatch, the organization was created by Inter-Local Agreement with the County as just one of many members. He also indicated that each entity is paying less than when it was first established.
He recommended that Schue speak to the Central Dispatch Board about his concerns and to review the agreement.
Harman added that funding for that department goes beyond the Inter-Local agreement to include the Jail Tax and the State 911 Funds. He expressed that he wanted to review the funding mechanisms more precisely for that department; but estimated that the Inter-Local agreement funds approximately a quarter of a million dollars for services.
Bohannon pointed out that $12,500 , the amount that Argos contributes, would not sufficiently fund even a part-time Dispatcher.
Bohannon directed Schue to the Auditor’s Office who holds a copy of the Inter-Local agreement to review the terms of the controlling apparatus. He confirmed that the Council will be reviewing the State 911 funds as they develop their long term strategy; as for the Inter-Local agreement they are not the deciding authority. “I can’t imagine that the Council would be in favor of making a tax increase on citizens to offset the $12,500 that you guys are paying for dispatch.”
Schue said, “It’s not just for us, it’s for the County, for everybody.”
Bohannon asked if the Council had any questions and if Schue’s had more to add. Schue did not. Bohannon repeated his recommendation to consult with the Central Dispatch Board.
