As Marysville’s mayor, my goal has been to run the city as efficiently as any business. We are in the business of providing services to our citizens and no service is more important than public safety.
Marysville is growing rapidly. Our current population exceeds 30,000 and will be approaching 40,000 within months due largely to annexations. Such growth places significant demands on services, particularly police, fire, streets and transportation. We have a moral obligation to keep enough police officers on the streets to protect all of our citizens – the old-timers and the newcomers. We need to grow our police force along with our population.
To provide efficient service we are continually analyzing our departments to assess how taxpayer dollars are being spent. For example, last year we analyzed operations at Cedarcrest Golf Course, resulting in numerous recommendations to reduce costs. These recommendations are currently being implemented with positive results.
More recently, we have been examining other city departments including the Communications Center and the prospect of consolidation with SNOPAC to provide more efficient, cost-effective services. Consolidation of communication centers is occurring across the nation. Local, regional and national public agencies are faced with limited funds and growing demands to improve communication systems across jurisdictional lines for better coordination and better service. Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and national security concerns clearly add pressure for local jurisdictions to coordinate and consolidate these services. It is no different for Marysville, Snohomish County and SNOPAC. Additionally, federal emergency management dollars and homeland security dollars are focused on consolidation and better coordination of communication operations.
The 2007 operational cost for the Marysville Communication Center is estimated at $985,564. A move to SNOPAC is estimated to reduce the cost to $635,477 for 2007. Consolidation with SNOPAC would result in savings of $350,087 annually. This cost savings takes into account the addition of three records clerks who would assume the duties that cannot be transferred to SNOPAC.
Marysville’s Communication Center has 12 budgeted positions with only eight positions currently filled. The Marysville Police Officers Association has indicated that additional positions are needed if Marysville is to remain in the communication business. This would mean four new positions (three new communication officers and one communication supervisor). Total staffing would increase from 12 to 16 budgeted positions at an additional cost of $288,045 for 2007.
By retaining the Marysville Communication Center at a staffing level recommended by the MPOA, the 2007 budget would increase to $1,273,610. The annual cost savings associated with a SNOPAC consolidation in 2007 would be $638,132.
Monday night, I will be asking the Marysville City Council to authorize entering into negotiations with SNOPAC to discuss potential consolidation of emergency communication center operations. It is my pledge that the best possible partnership will be negotiated on behalf of the citizens of Marysville.
Upon consolidation the council will be asked to keep the identified savings within the police department for additional police personnel, providing more officers to serve the citizens of Marysville.
The department’s five-year plan focuses on the following:
* Additional police officers for patrol.
* Additional detectives assigned to major crimes and narcotics.
* Position to focus on crime prevention.
* Proactive teams to focus on gang activities, stolen vehicles, DUI enforcement, etc.
* A position with Snohomish County Regional Narcotics Task Force.
* School resource officers for existing and newly planned schools.
* Commercial traffic enforcement.
* Emergency operation center.
* Facility needs in the north and east precincts.
These items all cost money. Maintaining the communication center in Marysville jeopardizes the potential for additional police officers and programs because to pay for them, other city services such as street improvements and park programs would have to be sacrificed.
Marysville currently runs dispatch operations for police services within the Marysville city limits and fire services within the Marysville Fire District boundaries. SNOPAC provides fire and police dispatch services to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the police departments of Arlington, Darrington, Everett, Gold Bar, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish, Stanwood and Sultan, plus 23 fire districts. This is a well-run operation that provides services on a much larger economy of scale, thus saving the citizens of these jurisdictions significant tax dollars.
While change is difficult, it is my role as mayor to be a good steward of your tax dollars. Savings should only be considered if citizens’ safety and services are maintained. Citizens will not experience a difference in service. They will call 911 and police and fire will be dispatched.
Dennis Kendall is mayor of the city of Marysville.
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