PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — The Portage City Council has adopted the new funding formula for consolidated dispatch after voters rejected a phone surcharge proposal last fall.
The new funding mechanism uses the existing money the various municipalities have been spending on dispatch to fund the new consolidated center, using a complicated formula based on population figures and current funding.
Portage Council Member Claudette Reid was on the subcommittee that worked out the arrangement she says they were looking for something that is equitable and that they could all agree on, and instead adopted a compromise that they don’t all agree is entirely fair, but will get the consolidation started.
The County Board has chipped extra cash to make it all work.
Portage Mayor Peter Strazdas says they will get a better more efficient system at less cost, despite some uncertainties due to federal requirements and advancing technology.
This funding plan has been given a five year sunset and negotiations will continue between the jurisdictions to find a “fairer” funding plan.
This week, Portage joined Kalamazoo Township in giving the interim funding formula a green light. If WMU, the City of Kalamazoo and the County also agree, the consolidation can move forward.
