HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.C Late Document 1 06/20/2011rr'
City of Petaluma, California
. Memorandum
City Manager's Office, 11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778 -4345 Fax (707) 778 -4419 E-mail. citymQ ar ))Petaluma. ca. us
DATE: June 20, 2011
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: John C. Brown, City Manager
SUBJECT: Item 4.C. - Resolution to Authorize the City of Petaluma to Become a Member
of the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority ( REDCOM) and
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a .Joint Powers Agreement with
REDCOM to Provide Emergency Dispatch Services for the Petaluma Fire
Department. (Anderson)
Attached is a replacement page #3 to the above Council report. The following change was made
to the financial section of this report:
WAS --
Average SaBen Cost 2 Existing Vacancies
Training Certification, Recruitment, Etc.
Total City Cost
REDCOM Cost -
Projected Savings
CHANGED TO -
Average Sa/Ben Cost 2 Existing Vacancies
Training Certification, Recruitment, Etc.
Total City Cost
REDCOM Cost -
Projected Savings
$163,300
$60,000
$265,758
$ 207,856
$ 22,400 - 10 % less
$163,300
$60,000
$223,300
$ 207 , 856
$ 15,444 — 7.4% less
Funding to pay the JPA for dispatch services will come from the Petaluma Police budget where
appropriations for dispatching services are located, by eliminating two (funded /vacant)
dispatcher positions. The total cost of these two positions is $223, 300 annually. This includes
wages, benefits, and special pays, and also includes cost savings and cost avoidance associated
with what has been the repetitive cost of recruiting, background screening, training and
certification of new employees. This latter set of costs is estimated to be as high as $30,000 per
position, per year, depending on the amount of employee turnover occurring on an annual basis.
It is difficult to predict the actual savings associated with this cost avoidance, but what is known
is that the cost to conduct recruitment processes and to provide probationary level supervision
and training is eliminated on two positions through this consolidation. What is also known is that
moving dispatch services for fire - related calls to REDCOM will facilitate the consolidation of
Police dispatch services with a regional entity similar to REDCOM, and that such consolidation
would most likely create additional, and what is currently anticipated to be significant, savings
for the General fund.
Salary and benefit cost for two existing vacancies is $78,800 and $84,500. Using the average
wage, overhead and recruitment /training cost factors for two dispatcher positions, the total
savings expected to be achieved through this consolidation is as follows:
Average Sa/Ben Cost 2 Existing Vacancies
Training Certification, Recruitment, Etc.
Total City Cost
REDCOM Cost -
Projected Savings
$163,300
$60,000
$223,300
$207,856
$15,444 — 7.4% less
In addition, it is estimated that the recommended action will result in approximately $40,000 in
value (no direct cost savings) associated with the avoided costs of supervision, equipment,
maintenance, and overhead costs that is currently provided to fire dispatch services if those
services are removed from the overall dispatch program.
REDCOM's annual operating costs have decreased (or were flat) over the last three budget
periods. JPA costs declined ( -) 4.1% in FY 2008/09, declined ( -) 0.6% in 2009/10, and 0.0% for
the current budget period (2010/11). If this three year trend continues, Petaluma's costs are
projected to decrease further in FY 2012/1.3.
It is a goal of the JPA that all fire and EMS agencies in Sonoma County participate in the
consolidated dispatch. As fire and EMS agencies join the REDCOM JPA, costs are projected to
decrease for all participants. With the addition of the City of Petaluma to the JPA, for example,
the cost to the other existing 49 agencies will decrease (on average) by 14% over the current
operating period.
The REDCOM JPA has agreed to absorb all costs related to upgrading Petaluma radio,
telephone, and station tone alerting systems in order to make it compatible with the REDCOM
system. In addition to this, REDCOM will provide all CAD system updates and operational
training to ensure a smooth transition into the County system.