Title
a. Support request to the Board of Supervisors that it authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2018/19 Adopted Budget, EME001-001-1520-8065, and increase appropriations by $1,144,664, financed by $1,016,278 in additional revenue from Participating Agencies (EME001-001-1520-8065-5445/4675/5750), and a $128,386 decrease in appropriations in General Fund contingencies (CAO020-001-1050-8034-7811), and
b. Support the request to collect $350,000 in Reserve monies, funded by $245,000 payable by Participating Agencies and $105,000 from unassigned fund balance, which will be restricted in 001-3042-SBSA-ECRF at the end of the fiscal year.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
Support request to the Board of Supervisors that it authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2018/19 Adopted Budget, EME001-001-1520-8065, and increase appropriations by $1,144,664, financed by $1,016,278 in additional revenue from Participating Agencies (EME001-001-1520-8065-5445/4675/5750), and a $128,386 decrease in appropriations in General Fund contingencies (CAO020-001-1050-8034-7811), and
b. Support the request to collect $350,000 in Reserve monies, funded by $245,000 payable by Participating Agencies and $105,000 from unassigned fund balance, which will be restricted in 001-3042-SBSA-ECRF at the end of the fiscal year.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Emergency Communications Center (MCECC) is a consolidated public safety answer point and dispatch facility serving 28 law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical response agencies throughout Monterey County. The Center is classified by the State of California as an extra-large center with 24-dispatch/call taking positions where resources are shared and deployed as workload dictates.
Monterey County is the provider of this service and is also a user of emergency communications services in partnership with the other User agencies. The current Agreement for 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatch Services requires that Participating Agencies contribute to the financial costs associated with the operational requirement of the Center. By operation of a cost-sharing formula incorporated in the 9-1-1 services agreement between the County and Participating Agencies, the Participating agencies fund approximately 70% of the costs associated with the MCECC’s dispatch operations. Monterey County contributes approximately 30% of MCECC costs.
A status quo budgetary proposal was submitted to and approved by the MCECC Executive Board totaling $12,470,644 for 2018 - 2019 fiscal year. This amount includes the collection of $350,000 at the close of FY 2018 - 2019, which will be restricted for the Emergency Communications operations. The budget as approved by the MCECC Executive Board requires a General Fund Contribution (GFC) of $1,868,216 to fully fund the operational needs of the Center.
Currently, the GFC allocated to ECD totals $1,634,960. The department requires an increase in appropriations of $1,144,664 to maintain critical services. The appropriation increase will be funded by $1,016,278 in revenue from dispatch fees, concessions and other reimbursements which accounts for their portion of the required revenue to meet the budget as approved by the MCECC Executive Board and $128,386 from a decrease to the contingencies appropriation. Additionally, the department will collect $350,000 at year-end funded by $245,000 from participating agencies and $105,000 from the County, financed by unassigned fund balance, which will be restricted for future use of ECD. The total request to fund the County’s portion of dispatch services and the reserve is $233,256.
Should this request remain unfunded, crucial services required by the Center will lost. In addition to day-to-day expenses such as utilities and office supplies being impacted, contracts for background security checks required for prospective new hires, the contract to provide a study for an alternate 9-1-1 Center, software purchases to keep the current Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) updated with real time Geographical Information System (GIS) data, CAD maintenance software, back-up battery equipment to be used in the event of a major power outage, and the audio recording system contract could all be severely impacted.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office has reviewed the report.
FINANCING:
The increase appropriation will be funded by an augmentation of ECD’s GFC allocation in the amount of $128,386, financed from a reduction to the contingencies appropriation and an increase of $1,016,278 in Dispatch Billing revenue derived from non-County participating agencies to fund the supplies and services needed to continue operations of the communications center.
In addition to the increase in appropriation, User agencies agreed to pay $350,000 that will be set aside at the end of the fiscal year as restricted funds to be used in the future to offset any major purchase that may be required for the Center. Agencies will contribute $245,000 towards this action, with the County’s portion totaling $105,000. At the close of the fiscal year, the Department will restrict the $350,000 for future use.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended increase in appropriations creates a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crime in general by promoting an organization that practices effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong constituent orientation, accountability and transparency.
__ Economic Development
xx Administration
__ Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
xx Public Safety
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Prepared by: Claudia S. Garza, Management Analyst III, Ext. 8887
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Approved by: Olivia Madrigal, Acting Director of Emergency Communications, Ext. 8884
Attachments:
FY 2018 - 2019 Dispatch Billing Worksheet
FY 2018 - 2019 Augmentation Request Detail