HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2017October 16, 2017
At a Called Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held on Monday, October 16, 2017, at 5:30
p.m., in the Training Room of the lower level of City Hall located at 300 South 5th Street, Mayor
Harless presided, and upon call of the roll by the City Clerk, the following answered to their
names: Commissioners Abraham, Holland, Rhodes, Wilson and Mayor Harless (5).
This was a joint meeting held with the McCracken County Fiscal Court. McCracken County
Clerk Julie Griggs called the roll and the following answered to their names: Commissioners
Bartleman, Beyer, Wathen and Judge Leeper (4).
INVOCATION
Commissioner Abraham gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Harless led the pledge.
WORKSHOP
This joint meeting was held to hear a presentation given by Mr. Dale Edmondson, Director of the
Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch about its 911 model. Below is a summary of the
presentation prepared by Public Information Office Pam Spencer.
Joint Meeting Between Paducah Board of Commissioners and McCracken County
Fiscal Court
At the request of the McCracken County Fiscal Court, the Paducah Board of
Commissioners and Fiscal Court met together in a workshop at City Hall to hear a
presentation from Campbell County (Kentucky) Consolidated Dispatch Center Executive
Director Dale Edmondson about the governing structure, funding, and operations of its
911 center. Campbell County's center is similar to the Paducah 911 Center in number of
employees and call volume; however, the governing structure and funding mechanisms
are different.
�-- Campbell County's governing structure began with the approval in 2001 of an inter -local
agreement among the Campbell County Fiscal Court, the City of Newport, and the City
of Fort Thomas. This agreement created the Campbell County Dispatching Board and
consolidated three 911 entities. A consolidated 911 center was constructed in the
Newport City Building with services beginning in July 2002. The Dispatching Board is a
board of seven public safety members with no elected officials on the board. Edmondson
said the membership of the Board has been the key to the dispatching center's
success. "The people who run the show know what is needed."
Regarding the funding structure, the Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch Center is
funded primarily through a service fee placed on the property tax bill on properties with
occupied residences or businesses. This $75 per parcel fee replaces the monthly land line
fee. Land line fees have been in decline across the state and nation as more people are
moving toward having only wireless service. Campbell County won a Kentucky
Supreme Court case a few years ago allowing the parcel fee. Edmondson said vacant
parcels are not taxed. He further explained that this is a flat fee that is not related to the
size or value of the property; it is simply a fee per occupied parcel. A home that is valued
at $100,000 has the same fee as a $1 million home. Regarding the fee Edmondson said,
"The community has been very supportive. I can't stress that enough." The fee increased
from $45 per parcel to $75 per parcel over the past year to help cover costs for new 911
center infrastructure. The Dispatch Center also receives revenue through the State
Commercial Mobile Radio Service Board (CMRS) through a surcharge fee that the State
places on wireless phones.
The Paducah 911 Center operates as a City of Paducah department (911 Communications
Services Department) that has service agreements with user agencies including
McCracken County and volunteer fire departments. The Paducah 911 Center is the
primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Paducah -McCracken County
providing 911 emergency and non -emergency services to 65,000 residents. The Center
averages a volume of more than 164,000 calls per year. The 911 Communications
Services Department was established July 1, 2016 and has 22 full-time
employees. Funding sources include fees from user agencies, the wireless surcharge,
land line fees, and the City of Paducah General Fund. Paducah's 911 Center received a
P
October 16, 2017
Certificate of Accreditation for a four-year term through the Kentucky Association of
Chiefs of Police in August 2016.
At the end of the discussion, McCracken County Fiscal Court adjourned their portion of the
meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Holland offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Abraham, that the Board go
into closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topic: Issues which
might lead to the appointment, dismissal or disciplining of an employee, as permitted by KRS
61.810(1)(f).
Adopted upon call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Abraham, Holland, Rhodes, Wilson and
Mayor Harless (5).
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Mayor Harless offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Holland, that the Board of
Commissioners reconvene in open session.
Adopted upon call of the roll, yeas, Commissioners Abraham, Holland, Rhodes, Wilson and
Mayor Harless (5).
ADJOURN
Mayor Harless offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Holland, to adjourn the meeting. All
in favor.
ADOPTED: October 24, 2017
pnin I it'Im-em"nar"v
City Clerk
27
Mayor