04/15/09
Approved town budget includes regionalization of dispatcher services
The Town Council on April 13, 2009, approved a $8.5 million budget for fiscal 2009-10, 3.08 percent lower than this year's budget, and one that will reduce the tax rate for town services by 2 cents, or .4 percent.
Most noteworthy about the approved municipal budget, however, is the controversial regionalization of public safety dispatching that comes with it.
By a 4-2 vote, the council approved the 2009-10 municipal budget which includes provisions for sharing dispatching services with the cities of Portland and South Portland, at an estimated cost savings of $127,000. The unpopular move has been under consideration for several years, but the current economic downturn prompted officials to adopt what some consider to be inevitable.
Councilor David Backer, who along with councilors Anne Swift-Kayatta, Sara Lennon and David Sherman supported the budget, said that regionalization has been a "buzz word" for cost savings since tax-cap legislation was introduced to the state years ago. "The idea has been embraced by citizens each year, certainly at budget time, citizens look to us to find ways to save money," Backer said. "The current recession has done nothing but heighten and increase that expectation," he said.
Sherman said that he, like others who spoke at a public hearing, is saddened by the loss of local dispatch, but that the town needs to adhere to the times and directions. "If I thought regionalization would result in decreased safety for individuals then I wouldn't vote for it," he said. "Services will not be the same, but I believe the safety of our citizens will be taken care of," Sherman said.
Councilor Paul McKenney was absent.
At a public hearing April 13, approximately a third of the 40 residents who came to address the budget spoke against regionalization of dispatch. Only one speaker favored the idea.
"We don't live in Portland, we don't live in South Portland for a reason," said Stonegate Road resident Ellen Enna, after an emotional testimony to the personal care afforded by local dispatchers. "With all due respect, in this town, what's more important? Peace of mind, or money?"
Hermit Thrush Road resident Boyce Sanborn also placed personal service above cost savings, telling councilors how local dispatchers, familiar with Cape Elizabeth families and situations, saved his mother's life more than once. "I beg you, save what you've got. It's quality of life," he said.
Most of the 13 speakers who came to support local dispatch shared first-hand accounts of how the service provided by local dispatchers would be lost if dispatch were handled out of town. One resident, Merrimac Place resident Helen Mainville, presented a petition with 640 signatures opposing the move.
Others reminded the council of a 2008 vote which affirmed the council's then-current policy to continue a local dispatch center until 2011.
It was that vote that prompted Town Council Chairman Jim Rowe to oppose the municipal budget proposal. "My personal integrity is not for sale, not even for a projected savings of $127,000," Rowe said.
Councilor Penny Jordan, who cast the other opposing vote, was not on the council in 2008, but she too said she would not support the budget because of regionalized dispatch. "I am not sure regionalization needs to be inevitable," Jordan said. She cited past experience in private business with off-shoring, a practice that was supposed to save money but instead wound up costing more. "Do we really know the future costs?" Jordan said.
Cape Elizabeth is slated to merge dispatching with South Portland and Portland, foregoing a more costly agreement with Cumberland County.
The Portland option also takes advantage of existing mutual aid and sharing of services between South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, said Town Manager Michael McGovern.
Before the start of the April 13, hearing, McGovern provided an overview of how the dispatch situation has changed since the council voted in January 2008 to retain local dispatch. At that time, McGovern said, the three-community option was not available. Also, officials have since learned that a 2006 Homeland Security Grant for $79,000 must be used by this July 1 or it will be lost. Officials plan to use the grant for equipment upgrades to aid the transition.
Also since that time, McGovern said municipal revenues from sources other than property tax are projected to drop $512,000.
"There's a lot that's changed locally in the situation," McGovern said.
McGovern said that he and the chiefs of Cape Elizabeth's police and fire anticipate no delay in response times, and more seamless mutual aid under the new system. E-9-1-1 calls are already answered in Portland, McGovern said. The new system will eliminate the need to relay calls to Cape Elizabeth and for information to be repeated to the local dispatcher
"The same number of police officers are going to be on duty," McGovern said. "We will have the same response team that we have now," he said.
The approved municipal budget includes funds for a full-time administrative assistant position to perform clerical duties at the Public Safety Building, McGovern said. This position, he said, will be offered to one of the town's four full-time dispatchers. In addition, there are openings for dispatchers in Portland, and Cape Elizabeth dispatchers with seniority may displace other public safety personnel in positions for which they are qualified, McGovern said.
McGovern said the cost for joining Portland and South Portland dispatch services is $16 per capita, and is slated to increase 3 percent per year. "We are in a very favorable negotiating position with Portland right now," McGovern said, something that may be lost if the town waits to implement regional dispatch. He estimated long-term savings of $200,000 that could be lost if the council waited until 2011.
"So to conclude, the trend in Maine and elsewhere is fairly clear," McGovern said. "The chiefs and I believe this proposal will lead to better and more efficient services," he said.
The municipal budget is part of an overall general fund budget that was tabled until a special meeting April 30, 2009. At that time, the council will vote on a $20 million school budget proposal.
(click here for news story).
More budget information is available on this Web site, and on the municipal budget blog.
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