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FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _6_ May 11, 2005 Consideration of a resolution re ardin~ consolidated 911 dis atching (continued) Mayor Gehrz said that voting in favor of the resolution were Commissioners Bennett, Carter, McDonough, Ortega, and Reinhardt. Voting against the resolution were Commissioners Rettman and Wiesner. The resolution directs each community to, in turn, adopt a resolution "opting in" to the consolidated services, and designating someone to negotiate on behalf of their city. The formula adopted by the County Board allocates 100% of the dispatching costs to the countywide property tax base, despite the fact that 71 % of all call volume in the county comes from the City of Saint Paul. For Falcon Heights, this change will mean an increase of more than 350% in dispatch costs for our taxpayers. The City of Falcon Heights is on record in support of consolidated dispatch; however, we feel strongly that the cost allocation formula, and shift of dispatching costs to the suburban communities under that formula, is inequitable. The resolution the City Council is being asked to adopt this evening reflects our support for consolidated dispatching, with the understanding that this support is conditional upon the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners reexamining the cost allocation formula, and including both tax base and usage data in that formula. Mayor Gehrz said that she, Administrator Worthington and Council member Lamb participated • in a meeting with Ramsey County Manager David Twa about this. Council member Lamb attended the meeting because of his knowledge and expertise in the telecommunications industry. Council member Lamb said there are nineteen political entities in Ramsey County. All currently have police and fire services, either their own or they contract with neighboring communities. Saint Paul is almost everyone's backup. They have specialized units that no one else can afford to have. Currently, the nineteen entities have dispatching services for police, fire and municipal sewer blockages. The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to shift the entire cost to the County property taxes. Based upon property values within the County, what is the big deal about that? He gave an oral review of the allocation of costs for consolidated dispatch under a County takeover of costs spread over City tax base, and the table of information for the nineteen municipalities in Ramsey County is outlined below. Allocation of costs for consolidated dispatch under a County takeover of costs spread over City tax base Prepared by City of Falcon Heights, 5/5/OS Cost at end of 8-year clock down period Current Total % of % of Ramsey for dispatching Dispatch Cost Countywide County (allocated to tax By City Tax Base Population base countywide) • Arden Hills $ 66,568 2.80% 1.90% $ 280,000 Blaine 1,416 0.00 0.00 -0- Falcon Heights 23,372 0.90 1.10 90,000