Document - Historical information/data - Funds available for twenty four hour Dispatch - 2/8/1973 r �
g February 1973
From: W. J. Rydrych
To: H. Polzin
A. Rahn
T. Wachter
J. Smith
cc: Martin DesLauriers Sub ect: Police/Fire Department Request
W' liam Schultz _ for 24 Hour Dispatching Service
Alice Bolke
In the past, the Police and Fire Departments have.made periodic requests
for a 24-hour dispatching system. When the Board...of Supervisors estab-
lished a budget for mil levy purposes last October it was impossible
to consider their request because of the lack of funds available due to
the state 6% levy limitation. Other potential sources of revenue, such
as liquor license fee's and federal revenue sharing, weren't factored
into the revenue projections at the time. This amounts to $80,000 -
$100,000 which wasn't included in the 1973 income.
It is now clear that revenue sources are available to develop a 24-hour
dispatching service for Eagan, so the question is no longer whether
adequate funds are available, but funding priority.
I feel that Eagan has reached the size where dispatching at the County
level doesn't provide sufficient speed or flexibility, and that the Fire-
Phone system is too slow and cumbersome (and, also is becoming an excessive
burden on the Fire Department) .
In my mind the most important aspect of a 24-hour dispatching system is
the speed and dependability with which the emergency squad can be notified
and supported, and removal of the Fire-Phone burden from the Fire Department.
The increased effectiveness of the Police Department should also not be
overlooked. Availability of the Dispatching personnel will allow removal
of many of the clerical burdens that are currently placed on the Police
Officers, and will allow the clerical support which will both improve our
record system while allowing the Police Officers to stay out on patrol or
on investigative assignments where they belong. An example of this is the
support afforded by the Dispatching personnel in typing reports from tape
or dictaphone, and filing and general correspondence and record keeping.
The attached request`from the Police and Fire Departments shows a cost of
a maximum of $13,000 in 1973 and $24,000 in 1974. This doesn't reflect
potential revenue that should reduce this cost. For example, the fire-
burglary-robbery alarms are in demand for our commeraial areas. Currently
they use systems wired into St. Paul or Minneapolis. It is also highly
probable that the neighboring communities of IGH, Apple Valley, or Rosemount
would be interested in the service for Fire Department dispatching services.
With some of this factored in the actual cost to Eagan is more likely to be
in the range of $13,000 in 1973 and $151000-$18,000 in subsequent years.
- 2 - g February 1973
I'I
I feel the 21+-hour dispatching service is warranted, and well worth the j
expense to Eagan. We can't afford to wait for establishment of a joint
facility with Rosemount and Inver Grove Heights, which would be two to
five years in the future.
W. J. Rydrych
WJR/wk
