gatorhater
Member
Joint dispatch in question
Jeff Burlew and Julian Pecquet
Tallahassee Democrat
The project to merge city and county emergency-dispatch centers, at least as originally conceived, might not be moving forward as some officials had hoped.
The plan was to possibly pay for it with a new property tax. But with state property-tax reform now a reality, county staff are recommending that commissioners not move forward with the property tax.
The project, including new radios and a building capable of withstanding high winds, could cost more than $50 million. A public hearing on the property tax is set for 6 p.m. today at the County Courthouse.
Sheriff Larry Campbell said the project might have to be postponed. But he said he's not ready to concede that it won't happen.
"I still want joint dispatch — no doubt about that," said Sheriff Larry Campbell. "If it takes a little longer just so we get it, fine."
Both city and county commissioners would have to sign off on the tax. Some city officials aren't very optimistic about the project moving forward.
"I wouldn't say it's dead, but it's in serious jeopardy," said Tom Coe, assistant city manager over safety and neighborhood services.
John Creamer, an investigator and spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said city and county officials were set to meet in the coming weeks to discuss what's economically feasible.
"Without significant funding, it’s going to be very difficult to move forward with the joint dispatch center as it was originally envisioned," Creamer said.
County staff are exploring other funding options, including a possible referendum on Nov. 8 in which voters would decide whether to approve a general-obligation bond to pay for the project.
The estimated cost of the building is $23.7 million, which could be financed over 30 years for $1.5 million a year, said Alan Rosenzweig, assistant county administrator. The cost of computers and technology has been estimated at $9.3 million, which could be financed over 10 years at $1.2 million a year. The cost of radios has been estimated at $4 million for an upgrade and $24 million for a brand-new digital system.
That part of the project could happen next year regardless of whether the dispatch offices merge.
Right now, the city dispatches police officers and firefighters, while the county dispatches sheriff's deputies and emergency-medical personnel. Experts say merging the offices would lower response times.
Jeff Burlew and Julian Pecquet
Tallahassee Democrat
The project to merge city and county emergency-dispatch centers, at least as originally conceived, might not be moving forward as some officials had hoped.
The plan was to possibly pay for it with a new property tax. But with state property-tax reform now a reality, county staff are recommending that commissioners not move forward with the property tax.
The project, including new radios and a building capable of withstanding high winds, could cost more than $50 million. A public hearing on the property tax is set for 6 p.m. today at the County Courthouse.
Sheriff Larry Campbell said the project might have to be postponed. But he said he's not ready to concede that it won't happen.
"I still want joint dispatch — no doubt about that," said Sheriff Larry Campbell. "If it takes a little longer just so we get it, fine."
Both city and county commissioners would have to sign off on the tax. Some city officials aren't very optimistic about the project moving forward.
"I wouldn't say it's dead, but it's in serious jeopardy," said Tom Coe, assistant city manager over safety and neighborhood services.
John Creamer, an investigator and spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said city and county officials were set to meet in the coming weeks to discuss what's economically feasible.
"Without significant funding, it’s going to be very difficult to move forward with the joint dispatch center as it was originally envisioned," Creamer said.
County staff are exploring other funding options, including a possible referendum on Nov. 8 in which voters would decide whether to approve a general-obligation bond to pay for the project.
The estimated cost of the building is $23.7 million, which could be financed over 30 years for $1.5 million a year, said Alan Rosenzweig, assistant county administrator. The cost of computers and technology has been estimated at $9.3 million, which could be financed over 10 years at $1.2 million a year. The cost of radios has been estimated at $4 million for an upgrade and $24 million for a brand-new digital system.
That part of the project could happen next year regardless of whether the dispatch offices merge.
Right now, the city dispatches police officers and firefighters, while the county dispatches sheriff's deputies and emergency-medical personnel. Experts say merging the offices would lower response times.
