We requested a copy of that report.
True to his word City Manager Jay Cravens who has kept this publication well informed on the actions of the Dispatch Sub committee, provided us with one.
Our analysis of that document is that is a well reasoned, 6 option piece that shows both cost and money savings (if any) and overall effect on the city in terms of long term control.
The Dispatch Sub Committee consisted of Public Safety Director, David Hendrickson (whose date of hire was a week after the committee was formed; City Manager Jay Cravens who formed the sub committee and chaired it; and City Commissioners Michael Dul
and Stuart Sherr.
Just guessing we would assume that the actual numbers analysis was the work of Hendrickson who in his 26 year career on the Warren Michigan Police, at one point ran that City's 30 person Dispatch Unit. We credit City Manager Cravens with the analysis of how the particular options would play out long term on our City. We Credit Commissioners Dul and Sherr with enthusiasm in pursuit of saving money which was an important matrix
Ironically, which is often the case with anticipated windfalls the dollar amounts in many of the options considered were small in comparison to what the community would lose in terms of future control and maintaining costs.
"Completely Outsource Dispatch" (Options 3,4,5, and 6) were deemed (In options 3 and 5) as saving not significant,,,risk loss of control. Option 6 was judged the worst because It does not save money and loss of control. Option 4 was the least expensive but would save only $2000 and risk rising costs in the future.
That left only two options. Option 1 is keep current operation as is. That was deemed manageable but it create problems in terms of overtime.
Option 2 was thought to be the best. The City would manage it's own dispatch as usual 8 am to 12 midnight. Midnight to 6 am would be outsourced to the Township. The cost savings would be substantial.Perhaps in the 6 figure range. Community Control. personnel and future costs would be maintained. Option 2 was regarded as the " best option for collaborating with another agency.
Option 2 was presented to the the Township for consideration. Both Communities were operating on a time table. The Township was looking to hire hire dispatchers a month ago. They agreed to wait pending the City's decision which would be based on public approval. If the Township was in agreement with Option two the City would then, in early August, via written correspondence with its resident seek approval of either option one (no change in dispatch) or option two (outsource dispatch but only for the hours of 12 am to 8 am ).
As of Yesterday July 11th. City Manager Jay Cravens was confident that the township would support Option 2 and started working on the letter seeking residents approval of either option one or two, It was then learned that the Township believing in incorrectly that the City had "tabled" the "outsourcing issue " was preparing to offer dispatch jobs to aspiring candidates on Monday the 15th.
That would leave no positions available our current dispatchers who were to assume positions on the Township Dispatch.
To City Manager Cravens who says he says he hires with the w family of in mind that was a deal breaker.
Cravens now believes the outsourcing offer is " dead on the water." It may someday be revisited but other public safety matters will preclude consideration until 2014.
While the Township may change it's mind on new hires since The City has not "tabled the matter," the City would still need time to prepare a letter seeking resident approval on option one or two. Residents, this publication polled had little objections to Option Two the eight hour outsourcing option.
Below are in there entirety are all six options the outsourcing City considered. To make the options larger click on them
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