Resolution 16-123 Explore Consolidation of 911 Dispatch Services With the Kenai Peninsula Borough

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                               Smith

RESOLUTION 16-123

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL GIVING DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO FULLY EXPLORE THE PROPOSAL TO CONSOLIDATE 911 DISPATCH SERVICES WITH THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH.

WHEREAS, The Kenai Peninsula Borough operates a 911 dispatch facility out of Soldotna, Alaska; and

WHEREAS, The Borough has approached the communities of Seward, Kenai, and Homer about consolidated dispatch services; and

WHEREAS, City administration has engaged in conversations with the Borough since March of 2016 analyzing the pros, cons, and challenges of consolidation; and

WHEREAS, In October 2016 the Homer City Council held two work sessions on the proposal from the Borough; and

WHEREAS, Many variables have not been fully researched and presented to the council and the public; and

WHEREAS, A smaller dispatch staff could save significant space and technology requirements in the new police building; and 

WHEREAS, Given the potential for Dispatch consolidation, it is in the best interest of the City that Police Department staff design and present solutions to any shifted staffing and response capabilities if consolidation were to occur; and 

WHEREAS, When the future number of City employees is considered as a whole, the loss of 7 dispatch jobs is offset by the proposed increases of 2.5 Police Department Administrative jobs, 1 new Jailor, an increase in the Fire Department of 1 Assistant Chief, the addition of ½ of a position as assistant to the City Manager and 1 addition to the janitorial staff; and 

WHEREAS, The total effect of all proposed personnel changes is a net reduction of 1 full time position; and

WHEREAS, No response has been received from the State of Alaska allowing the City to accurately gage the potential impact of PERS Termination Studies; and

WHEREAS, The City needs to work in earnest with the Borough to develop an employee structure that insures no PERS Termination penalties would be incurred; and

WHEREAS, The Council has an ongoing responsibility to prepare for the loss of revenue from the HART program sales taxes diversion; and

WHEREAS, The concept of 911 dispatch consolidation presents an opportunity to fully staff the personnel needs of the City and contain those budget impacts.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska, determines it is the best interest of the City to conduct a thorough and complete evaluation of the proposal for consolidating 911 dispatch with the Kenai Peninsula Borough including the broad scope of changes to the City employee ranks and related budget impacts.

               PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 26th day of November, 2016.

CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                         ____________________________________

                                                                                                         BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: To be determined.