Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County to merge police dispatch operations
The Ann Arbor Police Department and Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office are officially merging police dispatch operations starting in March.
The Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously early Tuesday morning to approve a contract to have the county provide dispatch services for the next five years.
The city will pay the county $759,089 per year, an amount partially offset by the $12,520 a year the county pays for the space already used as a dispatch center by the city and county.
Barnett Jones
"This is something that is happening all over the state and all over the country," Hieftje said. "I believe in consolidation and regionalization. It's one of the great ways that communities can save themselves in these times, and it's something certainly that the state is promoting."
The city and the county co-located dispatch staff into one center in June 2010. The council's latest action marks the start of a new level of cooperation.
Police Chief Barnett Jones and Sheriff Jerry Clayton appeared before council members to talk about what the consolidation means for both parties.
Jones said it's an effort on his part to avoid further cuts to the city's police force. The police department has faced significant reductions in force over the past decade, Jones said, and he's tasked with cutting another $1.1 million from the budget in the next fiscal year.
"My reality is a $1.1 million budget deficit target for me going forward, which would mean I would have to probably eliminate more dispatchers and still have to eliminate police officers," he said. "I can't afford to lose any more police officers on the street. We all know that. So good public policy is to try to put dispatch together with the sheriff's department."
Jones and Clayton both stressed the consolidation does not sacrifice quality of service, but rather changes the way service is delivered.
But city dispatchers disagree with that assertion. Three of them spoke out at the meeting, letting council know they disapprove of the plan.
The city's dispatchers are losing their jobs and will have to apply for new jobs with the county. According to information provided to council members, county dispatchers make about $9,000 less to start than city dispatchers, so they can expect less pay, but comparable benefits.
According to a recent presentation on the merger, Ann Arbor's dispatch operation includes one manager, one supervisor and 18 full-time dispatchers, while the county's dispatch operation includes one supervisor and 17 full-time dispatchers.
With the merger, there still will be one manager and two supervisors, but the number of full-time dispatchers between the two operations will drop from 35 to 30, while 10 new part-time call-taker positions will be created, according to the plan presented in September.
Jones said he expects about 13 or 14 of the city's dispatch employees will end up employed by the county. Clayton said he's going to give first consideration in hiring to city dispatch employees who are being laid off, but he can't guarantee them all jobs.
Dispatchers who were present for Monday's meeting said they've felt out of the loop and said they've struggled to get information from the city about the consolidation. The Ann Arbor Police Officers Association, which represents dispatchers, has a filed grievance against the city.
Anne Daws-Lazar, a dispatcher for the city, said if it seems like the county is handling more calls with less people, it's because the city's dispatchers are lending an assist already.
Sheriff Jerry Clayton addresses the Ann Arbor City Council Monday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Daws-Lazar said the city's dispatchers bring significantly more years of experience to the table than county dispatchers.
"Why is this true?" she said. "We have seen firsthand the conditions that they work under and the treatment of Washtenaw County dispatch by their administration."
Danyelle Tucker, another city dispatcher who spoke, said county dispatchers have clocked more than 5,000 hours of overtime already this year, a figure Clayton didn't dispute. She suggested county dispatchers work multiple double shifts per week and are fatigued.
Council members indicated they plan to carefully monitor the new dispatch operation to ensure quality. Either party can terminate the contract with 180 days written notice.
The sheriff's office has operated central dispatch since 1990, providing dispatch services to Northfield Township, Michigan State Police, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, as well as contract policing jurisdictions. That includes the city of Ypsilanti.
Clayton said the sheriff's dispatch operation would like to add staff, but can't within the present budget. The benefit to the county from the merger is that the city will provide the funding for additional staff, while allowing the county to have a larger pool of resources to deploy.
Tom Crawford, the city's chief financial officer, said the consolidation initiative can be reported to the state in January to help the city win state aid under a new incentive program that replaced statutory state revenue sharing. One of the requirements under the new program is that communities demonstrate they're moving toward collaborating on services.
Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward, pushed for a postponement of the consolidation until the council's second meeting in January.
"I'm not so sure this is a good deal for the city," he said.
But only Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, supported his call for postponement. After further discussion, the entire council voted 11-0 on the consolidation.
"I believe it is in the best interest of the city," City Administrator Steve Powers said of the merger. "It is unfortunate that there are disruptions to individuals."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Basic Bob
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
Now if only Pittsfield would join. They are completely surrounded by areas served by the county dispatch. Why they won't - the symbiotic relationship between the police union and the township administration. We have that obscenely large public safety millage to blow on duplicated services, no need to sharpen our pencils or actually manage a budget.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
That's an interesting point. I used to think Pittsfield should give up their dispatch, but the situation at the county makes that a poor choice. In a perfect world, an independent dispatch authority or special district would be formed, and all money earmarked for dispatch services would flow to it. This is the way it's done is some western states. It works very well, it costs less, and it eliminates the opportunity for elected politicians to divert money to other things. The problem with the County now is they either can't or won't allocate sufficient resources for staffing and training, and they can't retain the people they do manage to get. Pittsfield residents are better served by their own dispatchers at this point.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
It's a sad statement about the integrity and priorities of a community when their elected representatives choose to preserve funding for art and eliminate money spent that directly impacts the safety of the public and Ann Arbor police officers. If people wanted the reduced quality and level of service currently provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Dept., they'd move out of the city.
jcwest32
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 10:16 a.m.
That is why AA has been in the new so much more than Ypsi or other areas of Washtenaw County. It seems like lately there are more robberies, shootings, and rapes going on in AA. That just sounds like a high level of service to me. Instead of dogging everyone like, I've scene you do on here. How about some ideas on how to make things work and provide a level of service for everyone. State and National standards are towards Metro Police Departments (road patrol, dispatching, corrections). Understanding about losing a job or ones own idenity from a city, there could be so many more worst off ways this could of turned out. What if AA said we are only keeping 10 dispatchers and you all have to do all the work. How would quality of life be for those 10. Hopefully the county will take as many AA people that want to come over. I just hope it all works out for everyone in Washtenaw County, instead of only AA.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 5:07 a.m.
Are Ann Arbor calls for service currently being handled by untrained police officers and sergeants, like they currently are at the county? County deputies and sergeants routinely work dispatch shifts to earn extra O.T., at their rate of pay, not a dispatcher's rate of pay. Are Ann Arbor calls currently being answered by inadequately-trained "call takers" instead of fully trained dispatchers, as they are at the county? The county runs a fly-by-the-seat-of-their pants dispatch operation. Their dispatch supervisors are poorly trained in nationally accepted and standardized dispatch procedures, there is no standardized training of offices on proper radio protocol, and dispatchers routinely work 16 hour "double" shifts. People can and will die from mismanaged emergency calls. The safety of police officers is jeopardized, the safety of the public is jeopardized, and the amount of money that will be paid as the result of lawsuits brought by the families of people hurt because of a failure to train and a failure to supervise will cost hundreds of thousands more than the "savings" the city of Ann Arbor things they will realize. Any Ann Arbor councilperson who voted in favor of consolidation without spending two or three nights sitting along in dispatch and a couple nights of riding along with officers is an embarrassment to the community. No one can possibly hope to make an informed and responsible decision without first-hand knowledge.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
Jc, the fact that you think that police officers performing a highly-skilled position for which they are not trained is somehow a better situation than having people trained in the specific skill set required means you have little grasp of the intricacies involved in either position. I also never said the cops are the problem. I asked if that is the level o service Ann Arbor residents are currently receiving. If you "imagine" that the dispatchers ask the cops "a ton of questions," you would most likely be wrong. However, instead of guessing, I suggest you spend time in the actual dispatch centers and see for your self. I also don't know where you get the "dogging everyone" that you claim to have "scene" me do. I do not live in Ann Arbor, and Idon't work for WCSD or Ann Arbor Pd. I do have extensive dispatch experience in two states, however, and I can tell you that no one in a position to make decisions about public safety should do so without firsthand knowledge of the situation. If you think that's "dogging everyone," then I'm ok with that.
jcwest32
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 10:08 a.m.
So you are saying AA does not have any cops that work in dispatch.? Or if they do, did they go to the same school of dispatch as a normal dispatcher? For some reason I don't think so. May be cops answering the phones are a better thing. They probally know more questions to ask about the situation than most of the dispatchers. Does a dispatcher go to a police academy and learn criminal law? I'm sure some dispatcher are very good and better than cops, but I find it hard to believe that the cops are the problem. I would imagine that the dispatchers probally ask the cops a ton of questions when the work down there.
Mr. Ed
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
Great idea. This is fiscal responsible.
clara
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11:32 p.m.
Because more and more people use cell phones rather than land lines, a combined dispatch makes sense. I have had to call 911 from a cell phone in Ann Arbor and in Ypsi and have had the call transferred at least 3 times from both locations to get the call to the right jurisdiction. Once I called from Ann and Ashley, got transferred from the sheriff to AAPD then to HVA who put me on hold. While I was waiting on hold I sent someone to the parking structure to call from a land line. AAFD arrived while I was still on hold waiting for HVA.
Ginger chase
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
Yes more people use cell phones and do not know where they are making it impossible for a dispatcher to offer quality service if they are not familiar with every landmark in 26 cities and townships. The bigger the area, the bigger chance of sending someone to the wrong location. HVA dispatches for multiple counties and they left you on eternal hold. Sounds great to me.
justcurious
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
good point.
justcurious
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling! I think everything will be just fine. Having listened to the dispatchers from pretty much all of Washtenaw County, including Ann Arbor for the past several months I'm sure they will do a fine job.
justcurious
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
So, BornNRaised, what is your solution? Better training for the call takers? Or is some of it that the person who calls in doesn't give the right information at times? Consolidating the dispatch doesn't seem to matter in that case. What you want is better training since the responder isn't taking the calls.
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
Right... going on a 'stomach ache' to discover it's a gunshot wound... 'diff breathing' to find out they've been unresponsive for the last 30 minutes... sending FD on an alarm to discover it's a panic or hold up alarm. See the dangers on just 'act on what you're given' can create? The problem is dispatchers that look at this as just a 'job' w/o a care of what really goes on. Never had that problem before. It's becoming more and more a problem with these great decisions of council.
justcurious
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11 p.m.
I know that being a "scanner jockey" as you call me makes me a much more informed citizen and makes me realize the amazing variety of calls that our police, sheriff, met and fire personnel face every day. The only way they could know exactly what they are going to deal with would be to be on the scene as it happens. That's not possible, so they have to just act on what they are given.
BornNRaised
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
Being a scanner jockey and doing the job for a living are not the same thing. That's not meant as an insult. Keep in mind that what you're hearing on your scanner is based on no knowledge of the job or the actual call PD or FD are dealing with. We hear one thing from dispatch, and have to decipher what is really going on. That's the problem with this type of dispatch we all have.
BornNRaised
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 7:57 p.m.
Just to be clear about something... the city is going to pay the county $760,000 per year stating they will save over $500,000 per year. Let's say, for arguments sake, the city wasn't going to save $500K. That means a total budget for dispatch of $1,260,000 (500k + 760K) per year. There are currently 19 dispatchers. According to the City, a city worker with salary and benefits costs the city $100,000 /year. That's $1,900,000. Something is wrong with these numbers. The city is lying. The question is, where are they lying? On the cost per employee, or the actual budget for dispatch? Also, when the city got rid of fire dispatch to give to an ambulance company, it was at a projected savings of about $17k per year. Anyone every do an analysis to see where they're at? Or are we once again striving to reach milestones set by Snyder with out any regard for what the consequences of those milestones are? You know, like in big business. Remember the banks.... "You give out as many loans as possible (milestone) and you'll get a huge commission check." Anyone recall what the end result of reaching milestones without regard for the consequences? Now we're applying this to public safety?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Dec 8, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
You are citing the average cost for the average worker in the city. You also are assuming that every person currently working in the city's dispatch office will lose their job with the city. Likely that both assumptions are incorrect. GN&GL
arvin hopkins
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
So what will we do when we discover this is an unmitigated disaster? Try to hire new dispatchers and convince them they will be valued members of the Ann Arbor City Family? Are you kidding? Once this ship sails it's gone.
stunhsif
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
"The move, which has been talked about for months, is estimated to save the city $500,000 or more per year, " Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward said : "I'm not so sure this is a good deal for the city," Please explain Stephen how this is not a good deal for the taxpayers ? Go Green Go White
Ginger chase
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the people making the decisions have no idea what happens in dispatch and he would like more information before possibly making the wrong decision. Do you care how much experience someone has when you call 911? Do you care if there are not enough call takers to answer your emergency in a reasonable time? Do you care if the operator cannot take the time to listen to you? The county is understaffed, always have been, and probably always will. What if most of the Ann Arbor dispatchers do not apply leaving 1 person to do the job of 4 people and work 70 hours a week? Then what? Not too mention it can take 6 months to train a dispatcher properly. Someone said the reason why the county co-located with Ann Arbor in the first place was because Ann Arbor was the best. That same person is in favor of getting rid of them
tom swift jr.
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
"why not outsource to another country?" Actually, there are many that consider anything east of US23 "another country". I've actually had my passport checked passing under that bridge on Washtenaw!
snoopdog
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
"The Ann Arbor Police Officers Association, which represents dispatchers, has a filed grievance against the city." The public and taxpayers being held hostage by another public union. It is time to change laws and get rid of public unions once and for all. Good Day
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Dec 8, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
Sb wrote: "No FACTUAL examples needed. If you can't see the nose in front of your face, we can't help you" Translation: They have no facts. Typical. Good Night and Good Luck
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 9:51 a.m.
So this is your issue now? You've got to be kidding me...
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 7:45 a.m.
Born If your definition of hate includes this type of example, then you have set the bar very low indeed. You see, there is no adjective beyond 'hate'. It is as far down the path as you can go. I wouldl posit 'dislike', or 'distain', or some other descriptive word, but not 'hate'. This particular word is fast losing its meaning when it is used so frequently, and in the wrong context. So, do I 'hate' unions'? No, definitively. Do I dislike them? Yes. Hate assumes there is absolutely no good left in something. Unions do have useful purposes here and there, and so therefore do not fall under that extreme mantle of 'hate'. OK? I would like to see what exactly the police officers union is grieving about. That would be interesting.
Justice4all
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 3:44 a.m.
Did any union representation show up to the meeting? I didn't see anything or any comments from the union in the story.
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
Ok: "It is time to change laws and get rid of public unions once and for all. " City is being held hostage by unions? How about those two? Man, you don't read what's in front of you.
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
OK Born, your turn. Cite examples of 'hate', eh?
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 1:54 a.m.
Still waiting on the facts... just getting the hate.
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 1:17 a.m.
No FACTUAL examples needed. If you can't see the nose in front of your face, we can't help you. And, we don't 'hate' unions. We think they in many cases have outlived their usefullness, and are now serving to act as unsustainable anchors, dragging down our economy.
BornNRaised
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
"...being held hostage..." Please cite a few FACTUAL examples based on facts and not just mere hatred for unions.
AACity12
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
I'd like to see Crawfords quotes again from when this story first broke. I think it was along the lines of "this is just a nasty rumor." What a way to treat 20 of your hardest working and underappreciated employess. I agree that Govt shouldnt be in the buisness strictly to provide jobs but you should show a little compassion and take into account the lives that you are destroying. "It is unfortunate that there are disruptions to individuals." Come on Mr. Administrator you can do better then that. You just canned 18 people. Sure some may get new jobs at the county. MAYBE. And if they do they start at the bottom of the barrell. A few of those dispatchers that were within a few years of retirement are going to have to start all over again. This City and its managers are a JOKE. Its sick. Mr. Administrator I hope you send these people Christmas cards and apoligize for the lies that your predecessors told these dedicated employess.
MIKE
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
What would you propose as an alternative? Just keep them on the payroll?
bunnyabbot
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5 p.m.
I am all for saving money. As someone else pointed out most people will never have to call 911 or at least rarely, so few are affected by the change. BUT I called 911 last year, the call was taken by the county, it took 40 mins for the cop to show up. The A2 officer responded as soon as he got the call from county, however county delayed relaying it. So unless someone is bleeding to death or in grave danger I'll keep AAPD non emergency number in speed dial, the responding officer at dispatch can relay info to units on the street much faster. They are always professional to the point without being rude unlike whoever took the call at county, the guy was a RUDE jerk.
jcwest32
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 9:56 a.m.
The call is answered by anyone and dropped into a each departments computer. The call was probally held out for 40 mins because they had no cops to send. Once one became available he/she was dispatched right away. This happens at every department. In Detroit you can wait for days to speak to a cop.
Ginger chase
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
It's too bad you will be getting a county dispatcher answering the AAPD nonemergency line soon too. He was probably rude because he is overworked and understaffed.
bunnyabbot
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
I guess my point is that the "customer service" at county isn't as good as AAPD, I don't know how much that is worth to save. I do not like the police cuts that have happened. If it were about consolidating services to save money than it makes sense, but not if response time is delayed etc. I should point out that an Ann Arbor dispatcher knows the landscape better, so when calling about something it is much easier for them to know the area if an address isn't exactly available. Just makes it a whole lot easier to say it's near such an such on the corner by the thingy.
Ron Granger
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, good dispatchers save lives. Once upon a time, emergency dispatch was a good, steady career. You got to help people. These types of consolidations and layoffs will push talent to other fields. Why not just outsource dispatch to another country?
golfer
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
we can save money doing this. the art commission wil not reduce theirs. they just voted not to cut the percentage.
wash99res
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
So let me get this straight, the City of Ann Arbor would rather have there calls answered by a bunch of over worked "No offense to the hard working WCSD dispatchers" just in order to save a buck. Notice that there is no conversation of consolidating Chief Jones position, i'm sure Sheriff Clayton could take that $100,000 + off the city's hands. What about Mayor Hieftje? I am sure that the County administrator or someone could take over that position on! As long as it doesn't effect their pay checks they cut, but don't let it effect their pocketbooks! Just because you can consolidate, doesn't make it a good idea. Just remember the phrase, "I told you so" because there will be a lot of people saying that sooner or later. To all of the out of work dispatchers, I wish you all the best of luck and hope that you find a position where you are all truly appreciated for your hard work.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 5:19 a.m.
Sbbuilder, you mean be sitting with a nine million dollar fund balance right now, like Ypsi is? Ypsi's deficit is projected, not realized, and it's based on revenues and expenses as they exist today. Ann Arbor could do worse than a $9 mil. fund balance.
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Yes, in this case, they are doing it in order to save a buck. Either do that, or follow in Ypsi's footsteps.
dotdash
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.
So we are trading in higher-paying jobs held by experienced people for lower-paying jobs and worse service? This sounds like trouble. I can see that consolidation would save money. But why can't we bring out own high standards with us to the county level rather than sinking our level of service to theirs? I think it would be worth it to everyone.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
Jc, why are you arguing established fact? Ann Arbor has higher training standards and more experienced people. It's common knowledge that even the county doesn't dispute. The county's working conditions are extremely difficult and their turnover is high. This is also established fact. You must work for the county, in an area other than dispatch, because county dispatchers know better than anyone how underpaid they are for the conditions and treatment they have to endure.
jcwest32
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 9:52 a.m.
How do you know who is answering the phones if all the 911 calls are answered by everyone? I'm sure if you ask the county people, they would say the same thing about AA and that they are over paid.
glimmertwin
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
I'm glad to hear this, but just once I would like to read: "An examination into how to control costs found no potential improvements available because controlling operational costs have always been the first priority by all previous administrations."
UtrespassM
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
Who will be responsiable to UM campus safety. The new UM-DPS director has left for EMU with a $50,000 pay cut last week. The on campus crimes have arised right away after his departure.
Hunterjim
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
What a sad chapter for our Police department. Neither The Mayor or the Chief of Police are considering the best interest of the city by disolving the Police dispatch unit. This group of men and women have served our community with professionalism far beyond anything the County can provide. These dedicated Ann Arbor Police Employees know the city, know the streets, know the officers/fire personnel they dispatch, know the problems in responding to a call, such as construction, traffic, events, and manpower issues and available resources for any particular time. The County does not and will not be able to provide the level of service that AAPD Dispatch does everyday. This decision shows that Chief Jones is a puppet to the Mayor and Sheriff. When will the citizens realize what is happen to public safety in Ann Arbor, and demand more from our leaders other than political correctness and political whims. Put the safety of Ann Arbor first, not cronyism.
BornNRaised
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
Most people won't care about this since hopefully you never dial 911, but please keep a couple of these facts in mind when reading this story: - When council says they'll 'carefully monitor' they mean they ask Jones how it's going. Most officers have lost respect for Mr. Jones because of various underhanded actions. So do you think Jones will give the 'review' based on what officers on the street have to deal with, or his own opinion of dispatch? - When Fire Dispatched was moved to HVA under protest, the council was going to 'review it'. Despite numerous documented serious issues with the system, no action has been taken by council. This is all being done to appease Snyder's "do as I say and I'll give you money" management. He's putting metrics in place that only prove to 'meet the requirement or not'. No regard to that actual impact of those items. Sound familiar? Big business does this all the time. As long as you hit the milestones, you get a bonus. Doesn't matter how you get there, or what the end result it. Is public safety really the place for that type of 'management'?
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
Can only put the fact in front of you. If you choose to do nothing more than be insulting, you're proving my point all too well. Thank you for your support.
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
Oh boy, here we go. Small words this time. Snyder not vote. Council vote. Council do what they want. Council could say 'Take long hike' to big man in Lansing if they want. And, no, I can read a short article, thank you.
BornNRaised
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 1:56 a.m.
You're right... you missed it and a lot more. This is all being done because Snyder stated that communities had to show consolidation of services for him to give the revenue sharing. BTW, it's in the above article too. So yeah, you missed it.
sbbuilder
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Golly I must have missed it, but I didn't see Snyder at any of the council meetings. He must be voting absentee ballot on these proposals. Yeah, that must be it.
doglover
Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
It is unfortunate that some will lose their jobs, but that's inevitable with consolidation. We have to stop thinking that a primary function of government is to provide jobs. We need government - at all levels - to provide services in the most efficient manner possible. This move is consistent with that approach, and so it's better for the public.
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
Sorry...typo correction. "...equal or better service leveles THAN previously..."
YpsiVeteran
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
It's only better for the public if it can be shown that the public will receive equal or better service levels that previously, at some cost savings. Since none of the council members has any idea what is involved in the performance of the job, the level of service now being delivered, or the level of service that will result, the only thing you can say is that it is expected to cost less. This is by no means automatically "better."