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Single site for 911, police has potential to save money
They should make sure the possibility is fully explored
Before Klamath Falls gets too far down the road on construction of a Klamath Falls police station, both the city and the 911 Communications District should make a serious effort to combine facilities in the same building. If not that, then on the same site.
Both agencies need new buildings. Voters have approved money for the police department, but have turned down the 911 district twice.
The 911 district is working on an analysis and plan that are expected to be completed by January. It could include charging for some of the communication district’s services.
The situation looks ripe for a trade-off or barter that would help solve the 911 District’s need for facilities and lessen the financial impact on the city of any 911 fees. It could also combine some facilities — such as parking and a meeting room — that could save money.
The city’s plans include space for an Emergency Operations Center for the county. That would put key emergency headquarters close to each other, which should help in dealing with major emergencies (Think earthquake. Think wildfire.) Two years ago voters turned down an effort to create a consolidated public safety complex at the old National Guard Armory site that also would have included the headquarters for Fire District 1.
The city says it’s open to a deal and the communications district says the police station area at the Armory site is one of those that will be looked at.
Some fast work needed
City Manager Jeff Ball said last week that there would be space in the new building “by blowing out a portion of the second floor on the north side,” and that “this could probably still be accommodated with some fast, major redesign work.” Ball said design plans are about 90 percent complete and a “request for qualifications” has been sent to contractors to “prequalify” them for work on the structure.
Last August, the 911 District worked up a schedule of possible annual user fees for the agencies it serves and came up with one for the city police department of $192,463.
Executive Director Jeanine Dilley said the district is continuing with its research of the types of calls being handled, “so the number could definitely change.” The district wants to determine “all possibilities before a decision is made on location or fees.”
It looks like the window’s rapidly closing for 911 to be part of the new police department building, though the opportunity to build elsewhere on the armory site would remain. Both the city and the 911 district should see that the possibility of working together is fully and quickly explored, even if it means changing the schedules they’re on. The situation has some obvious money-saving potential.
Both agencies need new buildings. Voters have approved money for the police department, but have turned down the 911 district twice.
The 911 district is working on an analysis and plan that are expected to be completed by January. It could include charging for some of the communication district’s services.
The situation looks ripe for a trade-off or barter that would help solve the 911 District’s need for facilities and lessen the financial impact on the city of any 911 fees. It could also combine some facilities — such as parking and a meeting room — that could save money.
The city’s plans include space for an Emergency Operations Center for the county. That would put key emergency headquarters close to each other, which should help in dealing with major emergencies (Think earthquake. Think wildfire.) Two years ago voters turned down an effort to create a consolidated public safety complex at the old National Guard Armory site that also would have included the headquarters for Fire District 1.
The city says it’s open to a deal and the communications district says the police station area at the Armory site is one of those that will be looked at.
Some fast work needed
City Manager Jeff Ball said last week that there would be space in the new building “by blowing out a portion of the second floor on the north side,” and that “this could probably still be accommodated with some fast, major redesign work.” Ball said design plans are about 90 percent complete and a “request for qualifications” has been sent to contractors to “prequalify” them for work on the structure.
Last August, the 911 District worked up a schedule of possible annual user fees for the agencies it serves and came up with one for the city police department of $192,463.
Executive Director Jeanine Dilley said the district is continuing with its research of the types of calls being handled, “so the number could definitely change.” The district wants to determine “all possibilities before a decision is made on location or fees.”
It looks like the window’s rapidly closing for 911 to be part of the new police department building, though the opportunity to build elsewhere on the armory site would remain. Both the city and the 911 district should see that the possibility of working together is fully and quickly explored, even if it means changing the schedules they’re on. The situation has some obvious money-saving potential.
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| Settlement has long way to go before dams are gone |
Reader Comments
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Johnny wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:00 AM:
" Hmmm. if the 3 administrators didn't give themselves a $70,000.00 raise, I bet they would have enough money to hire more dispatchers.
I hope these people that are going to be charged these "user fees" tell them no. "
I hope these people that are going to be charged these "user fees" tell them no. "
OMG wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:58 AM:
" User fees will devastate the smaller agencies like Merrill, Malin, Chiloquin Ambulance, and would severely impact other agencies that are just as strapped for cash as 911.
911 is suppose to be here to help us, but in fact, will make us less safe by taking even more police and fire off the road just for the sole purpose of them "wanting" a new building.
Sure, they will have a new building, but since they took the money from these already strapped agencies, whos going to respond?
Work within your means like any other agency. If you need me to come down and paint some Kilz on your "mold" I will.
You got new radios, a new generator, new dispatch consoles, and new recorders, what more do you need? "
911 is suppose to be here to help us, but in fact, will make us less safe by taking even more police and fire off the road just for the sole purpose of them "wanting" a new building.
Sure, they will have a new building, but since they took the money from these already strapped agencies, whos going to respond?
Work within your means like any other agency. If you need me to come down and paint some Kilz on your "mold" I will.
You got new radios, a new generator, new dispatch consoles, and new recorders, what more do you need? "
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Dir03 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:47 PM:
She is quoted in the Herald and News as stating "The City Police cannot Accomodate our Needs".
I guess being told no 3 times was a good clue to her that maybe she should "lower her standards" and hang out with the police. I personally feel sorry for the Police. "