09-06-16 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

John Murphy responded that PSAP operations is a County fund, so the County ultimately controls the costs based on the interlocal agreement. We used to pay the PSAP allocation from the General Fund, but now we pay from the EDIT. We also have to pay the bond payment on the PSAP structure which is also an EDIT deduction. Councilmember Scott asked John Murphy for a breakdown of what the City has spent so far on PSAP. Councilmember Scott believes the PSAP project is a complete waste of City funds and is currently mismanaged. He hopes to have conversations with the Mayor in the coming days to discuss his contempt of the project. Councilmember Scott also requested to have PSAP come and present an update to Council's Health and Public Safety Committee. Councilmember Scott asked James Mueller if the PSAP administrator is still requesting more staff — eighteen (18) staffers. James Mueller explained that what the past director was requesting was unrealistic, but we do need more staff than we currently have. Chief Ruzskowski further explained that the bare minimum the SBPD dispatch operated with was five (5) staffers. He thinks a consolidation of dispatch services doesn't necessarily equate to a reduction in staff, which is what happened initially and the PSAP staff has been behind since then. Councilmember Scott responded that it's time for someone to take accountability for reforming the challenges immediately, because they keep asking for more money without any tangible results or progress. He strongly suggested that South Bend may need to go back to operating their own dispatch center and potentially holding back any PSAP investment. Councilmember Scott asked Committee Chair, Karen L. White, to request an update regarding IT allocations and PSAP progress. Committee Chair White agreed and transitioned to Councilmember Jo M. Broden for questions. Councilmember Broden asked about specific measures--quantitative and qualitative — and outcomes related to the substantial reorganization of the department. She thinks the communication of these measures are important to the Council but also the public. Councilmember Broden also referenced the Events Ordinance in regard to Notre Dame home games and the costs to the City. Chief Ruzskowski expressed that home games are a significant challenge given the next year's schedule is not confirmed, so it's difficult to project accurate budget expenditures. Committee Chair White also mentioned Notre Dame contributed to costs and asked John Murphy if those monies are still received and tracked from the University. John Murphy shared that approximately $300,000 is contributed by the University and is reflected in the General Fund. 12