But stagnant, if not shriveling, tax revenues have prompted the Town of Huntersville to consider what it believes will be the cost-saving measure of exiting its relationship with Cornelius and taking its emergency dispatch services elsewhere, the likely candidate being the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
It was an easy decision for Huntersville to make, and Cornelius Police Chief Bence Hoyle says he understands it. In a move to consolidate 911 call centers across the state, a recent state law prohibiting local jurisdictions from starting dispatch centers from scratch doesn't really affect Huntersville, since it's not functionally in the 911 business to begin with. The Huntersville Police Department can take its calls from anywhere and, if it finds it doesn't like the service it receives from CMPD — or anywhere else — it can always go back to Cornelius.
That is, providing that CPD's center is still there. Huntersville currently pays 62 percent of the total operating budget of the dispatch center — $261,793 in fiscal year 2011 of a total $462,811 in local costs — a rate based on the comparative size of the two towns. That amount will be higher in the future, with the state reducing funding to the dispatch center by some $185,000, of which Huntersville would be responsible for some $115,000 more. Negotiations by Huntersville officials earlier this year to reduce the town's share to 50 percent of the cost failed.
With Huntersville likely exiting next June — its town board last Monday authorized Town Manager Greg Ferguson to give the requisite six-month notice before vacating — Cornelius will have to bear the total cost on its own, assuming the town doesn't attract any other municipal customers.
A fiscal debate has already begun in Cornelius about whether it's prudent for the town to continue to operate its own dispatch center in exchange for the unique benefits CPD Chief Hoyle cites by having the police department headquarters — where the center is based — open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In his regular newsletter, Commissioner Dave Gilroy, the town's elected representative to the dispatch center commission — at least for now — calls the situation a "cost crisis." A fiscal hawk, he has been a sharp critic of the cost of the police department.
"Huntersville's savings will be at least $1 million over five years and their chief of police is pointing at additional benefits as well," Gilroy writes. "They are completely convinced that citizens will experience zero change in service levels. ... With our 911 dispatch center incurring operating costs fast approaching $1 million per year (and) ongoing capital equipment costs ... we have serious work at hand in the coming budget season to determine our next steps."
Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte says the dispatch center provides services unique to his town in that its doors are always open, its operators know the town, and it can address minor emergencies as well, all combining for a level of service Cornelius residents have come to expect.
"I have one commissioner who is ready to shut it down, but the call center has a lot of implications for us because it is the voice of the community and it's the first place people call, particularly in emergency situations," says Tarte. "We are a little unique because we have people who call for anything. It's the fastest way to get to us, and the degree of support that our 911 folks offer is different than what a typical 911 center will do."
Hoyle is more pointed in his concerns, which include prioritization of calls for Cornelius residents routed to a big, regional dispatch center, his ability to supervise and control the service locally, and simply having a safe place for victims to go 24/7.
"The most immediate and obvious impact will be the police department will close," says Hoyle. "After hours and on weekends, for the first time in 18 years, the police department will be locked and empty. It is the only safe haven north of Charlotte where a domestic violence victim, or a person being followed at night by a car, or any other similar victim, can go to get some protection. Once in the lobby, our dispatchers can bring such a victim into a secure area immediately if necessary or can coordinate with officers in the field to provide services."
Hoyle adds that, because of state law, should Cornelius decide to shutter its dispatch center, it can never change its mind.
"State law prevents a 911 center from reopening once they close as a part of their efforts to force consolidation," warns Hoyle. "So, once we pull the plug it is pulled forever, and if CMPD (or whomever provides dispatch service to the town) decides to double our fees, we will have to pay it — regardless of what it is."
Next week: Cornelius Police Chief Bence Hoyle lays out all of his concerns regarding closing the 911 dispatch center.
