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SUNNY Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, July 5, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 3, 2002 Ashland will help plan a countywide 911 center By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — The City Council voted Tuesday to assist in creating a plan for a state-mandated countywide 911 dispatch center that’s due by Sept. 1, even though those efforts are stalled. "If there’s no plan, the state will do it," said Mayor Alan DeBoer. "I’ve gone to the other mayors and asked them to get the plan together ... to get past the politics." The council also directed its staff to continue analyzing whether the city should join a consolidated center or exercise its option to retain its own. A local center would result in greater financial cost to the city. Legislation that requires counties to submit consolidation plans for 911 services will bring an end to state money the city receives to support the service. The legislation calls for state tax revenue to go to just one center per county. The Medford Police Department’s Central Communication (CCOM) and Southern Oregon Regional Communications each operate larger dispatch centers. Ashland’s center is too small to accommodate a center for the county. "It’s difficult to make a recommendation. We’re not sure where these 911 dollars will end up," said Police Chief Scott Fleuter. The estimated cost to retain the dispatch center in Ashland approaches nearly twice that of switching the service to one of the other centers. Retaining services in Ashland would cost $814,371 a year in the future. An estimate for coverage through SORC is $431,142. CCOM coverage cost would be $450,210. Both agencies have submitted proposals to the city to provide the service, and would hire five of the seven dispatchers who work in Ashland. The city would need to cover the loss of $86,000 it receives from the state for 911 services and another $42,000 it receives for 911 maintenance if it maintains its center. Two additional dispatchers would add another $112,000 to the future budget. The volume of calls at the center will soon require two dispatchers on duty at all times, according to Fleuter. Currently there is one dispatcher about 50 percent of the time. Patrol officers must provide relief for breaks and backup as needed. "It’s a little alarming having only one dispatcher," said Councilman Chris Hearn. "It looks like maybe our system isn’t quite up to par." Dispatch Supervisor Gail Rosenberg said a consolidated center would allow a dispatcher to concentrate on just one discipline. Ashland dispatchers currently perform clerical duties also. Resident Bill Greenstein, the husband of a dispatcher, said the city should maintain control over its dispatch system. "I believe Ashland can’t afford not to have the best service given the $91 million budget," said Greenstein. "Any savings that may be realized are probably illusory. We’re talking about one to three-tenths of one percent of our total budget." In other business, the council unanimously rejected a petition by Michael D. Johnson to repeal limits on hours of drumming in all city parks. An earlier petition submitted by Johnson was rejected at the June 18 meeting. Hearn said an extensive community process eight years ago created a compromise on drumming in parks that should be retained. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S