City council urges progress on dispatch center consolidation
read more recent story comments Reader comments| moco55 Wednesday, September 5, 2012: 1:18 pm More from moco55  | We are less than 16 months away from the 9-1-1 center mandate and little has been done to move this forward. There seems to be plenty on the committee, maybe too many. Now the persons in charge need to get it moving along. A lot is to be done during the upcoming months. Where is funding to come from? |
| Don Adams Wednesday, September 5, 2012: 3:43 pm More from Don Adams | Hello Moco55, First, the State mandate is that each county have two or less PCAPS (where your 911 calls go) by 12-31-14... a little over 27 months. Currently we have three..Mooresville, Martinsville and the County. Concerning the size of the committee-- I actually sought to add three additional members on the committee, one each from the boards of Martinsville and Mooresville plus a member of the County Council, the funding body of the county. My thinking was that elected reps ..the taxpayer's reps.. need to be directly and deeply involved and I am happy to see that the boards of both Mooresville and Martinsville support this. You are exactly correct about the need to move along with this although not with the high sense urgency felt by some. The main thing is to do it correctly and as economically as possible while providing the best service that we can for our citizens. Although I am not on the board... Brian Goss is our Commissioner representatives. I have several thoughts ..and questions on this and will be putting them together to share with the committee and our citizens in a week or less. I will be doing this on my own blog, http://bethelpond.com/scraps/ Before I do that I need to visit all the three dispatch centers and also need to review the two reports that we obtained earlier this year. Concerning your interest in the funding... that is key ...not only for the building but the continuing operation. I have the same question even though that is in the hands or the County Council and the Councils of both Mooresville and Martinsville. Cordially, don |
| Hugh Jorgan Wednesday, September 5, 2012: 4:28 pm More from Hugh Jorgan | Since these dispatch centers are funded by local taxes what business is it of the state's how many centers we have???? |
| Danny Stewart Wednesday, September 5, 2012: 5:24 pm More from Danny Stewart | Mr. Adams. The person you were addressing is one of our city councilmen. Needless to say, unlike you and I, he doesn't have the fortitude to use his real name on here. |
| Don Adams Wednesday, September 5, 2012: 10:37 pm More from Don Adams | Danny...thanks...interesting. Hugh, I often wish that the General Assembly would interfere less in matters that we could manage at the local level. You ask a good question. I will see what i can find out why the decision was made. The legislation requiring the maximum to be down to two is IC 36-8-16.7-47 if you care to look. I do anticipate that there will be new legislation in this next General Assembly that will extend the deadline. Some were introduced this past session. Some counties are likely having difficulty attaining...and funding this particular State mandate. I do know that in some counties there is an excessive amount of PCAPS... I think there are around 15 in Lake County. Expecting them to come down to two by the end of 2014 seems a huge... and likely unattainable goal. There were a couple of bills introduced during the last session that proposed to extend the "due date." They did not pass, but will likely be brought back in the coming session. don |
| jimenicholls2 Thursday, September 6, 2012: 8:30 am More from jimenicholls2 | It looks like money could be saved from two city dispatchers that have take home city vehicles...and I assume their fuel is paid for by the city taxpayers, as well. The two dispatchers mentioned above are: Mike Arthur (I'm told is related to the mayor) Jim Barley |
| jimenicholls2 Thursday, September 6, 2012: 8:43 am More from jimenicholls2 | This is a pretty easy decision, if you follow common sense and principle. The Sheriff is the highest law enforcement official and upholder of the US Constitution in a county, and their office is a mile or less from downtown Martinsville easily supporting the city; therefore, their 911 center should remain. Mooresville is the largest town in Morgan County (6.3 sq mi versus Martinsville's 4.5 sq mi); therefore, their 911 center should remain. Ending the Martinsville 911 fiefdom is a no-brainer, it is simply not needed. |
| Bernard W. Thursday, September 6, 2012: 8:44 am More from Bernard W. | Danny do you still deliver papers for the Reporter? |
| Factual Data Thursday, September 6, 2012: 8:57 am More from Factual Data | Don, You have to quit beleiving everything you hear while having breakfast at Biff's. It makes sense, increases safety with better communication, and saves money. Certain people want to be on their own island, but you need to realize that we have to work and play well with others... |
| Danny Stewart Thursday, September 6, 2012: 11:16 am More from Danny Stewart | Does it matter? |
| Just a Peasant Thursday, September 6, 2012: 11:40 am More from Just a Peasant | Some local taxes from each level of government (Morgan County = Sheriff PSAP, Martinsville = Martinsville PSAP and Mooresville = Mooresville PSAP) and now the State controlled E-9-1-1 fees. The E-9-1-1 fees prior to July 1, 2012 went to the counties directly. The residual amount of the pre July 1, 2012 E-9-1-1fund distributions are being retained by the county for any state approved use. Now the state E-9-1-1 wireless board controls the collection, distribution to PSAP’s and approves the use of those funds. Also, someone might want to read the report prepared and presented by Pyramid’s President Terry Burnworth. What was not presented in the article is that Pyramid’s projected annual operating costs for staff and personal alone is in excess of $1.56 million dollars. Where will those funds come from? The current thought process is that each agency that operates a PSAP will by interlocal agreement give their current PSAP operating funds (local taxes) to the new county agency (Morgan County) to operate the countywide consolidated dispatch center. More than is currently being spent on all three PSAP’s (Mooresville’s is currently the most cost efficient). Construction costs for the center are projected to be in excess of $1.8 million dollars. Under the current law the E-9-1-1 funds cannot be used for construction of a dispatch center – only to maintain it once it is built. For some unstated reason the county commissioners rejected a proposal to adopt an Indiana state law, by local ordinance, that would have provided for funds for the construction of the center, its operation and equipment. In the end however, the Commissioner’s passed an ordinance that was drafted and lobbied for by Pyramid’s President Terry Burnworth. Additionally, the report does not fully or correctly address is issue of redundancy for the dispatch center (PSAP). With two dispatch centers in a county if one fails the other will be up and running without any delay. This has situation has occurred at least twice in Morgan County in the last few years. Putnam’s County’s E-9-1-1 Director has stated that if that county’s single dispatch center (PSAP) goes down it would take approximately five (5) hours to bring-up the non-functioning back-up dispatch center (PSAP) to full service. A second PSAP or dispatch center does not necessarily require the construction of a second facility. Only the continuation and needed equipment upgrades that are currently planned and contracts issued for. The current Morgan County E-9-1-1 board has voted at least twice to support a two dispatch center (PSAP) solution in this county. Every essential activity requires a backup plan (Boy Scout Motto: BE PREPAIRED!) The issue is the continuity of quality government services without interruption when they are needed most by the citizens of Morgan County. Dispatch center consolidation is in and of itself not an inherently distasteful concept. However, it must be done right the first time with proper planning, the identification of long term funding sources and system and facility redundancy. |
| Just observing Saturday, September 8, 2012: 9:19 pm More from Just observing | Who is Jimenichols2, didn't I read where you moved here from another town? Did you move on your own or was it forced, did your mom remove your pacifier at a very young age? Last question, have you nothing better to do than complain about every damn thing that happens in this community? I have not seen one positive remark from you about our community. Aside from four years in the military, I have spent my life here and raised my children here. I am proud of Martinsville, the people who live here and our community leaders. When they were elected they didn't tell any of us they were going to be perfect or flawless. They might not always make the same choice I or someone else may. However I am satisfied they do what's best for all involved. You and a few others seem to have absolutely nothing better to do than belittle this community and it's leaders! It's a shame the RT allows such garbage from worthless clowns like yourself that never have anything positive to say. Most of the time your comments are far fetched and furthest from the truth. If you think your the next greatest thing run for office next time and let the people know you have it all figured out! See where that gets you! I doubt you break your buddy's 60 votes! If Martinsville is so bad move elsewhere Nichols. Let us know how that works too. |
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