City briefs

City preparing to re-sign county agreements    

Several have come due

[DEC. 1, 2003]  At last week's council work session, Bill Bates, the city's attorney, raised several questions in regard to annual agreements with the county. The city has several agreements that have come due on sharing expenses at the Logan County Safety Complex.

The standard agreement with the 911 board needs to have some clauses added to cover changes that will take place if the new 911 proposal should be accepted by voters.

At present the city owns and is responsible for specific equipment. It became apparent that the maintenance and repair costs of the equipment would no longer be under the control of the city. "We're not going to have some third party decide when we're going to spend money and when we're not," Bates said.

The attorney for the 911 board, Chris Walters from Canton, responded that he could get it worked out so expenditures are relayed by someone like the police chief and then are approved through the council first. "I just want you to know, though, until those items are repaired you might not be receiving all your services," he said.

Another option is to have a contact person (liaison) who would have the right to approve expenditures.

Another consideration that needs addressed due to the new 911 proposal is the standard agreement to share in the cost of operating the 911 center. The city originally agreed to pay $42,000 spread out over seven years in annual $6,000 payments. There are still two years left on this. Does the city still have to pay this? Bates wanted to know.

Bates is waiting to hear from Logan County State's Attorney Tim Huyett, who is handling the county's side of the new 911 agreement.

In addition, the police department lease agreement is due. That lease has gone up 13.3 percent. The increase was explained as an oversight that was noted by former county board member Doug Dutz.

The base rate was $24,918 per year. It was supposed to be raised a bit each year but has not been since 1997. The increase constitutes less than 2 percent per year, and the city is not being asked to make up the differences for the years there were no increases. So, the city is actually getting a deal.

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