There's a new development in the ongoing debate over whether to outsource the Wauconda 9-1-1 Center, as reported by The Daily Herald. This contentious issue has once again put local residents at odds with village leadership, this time over the possibility of shutting down the police department's dispatch center and outsourcing its operations to nearby Lake Zurich.
For the third time in under a year, Wauconda finds itself embroiled in a dispute that pits concerned citizens against village officials. This time around, the proposal to close the dispatch center and outsource the service has sparked significant opposition. On Tuesday evening, Village Administrator Doug Maxeiner plans to address the village board and the community, explaining his rationale for why he believes outsourcing represents the best financial decision. The town hall meeting is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Wauconda High School.
While no immediate vote is expected following the discussion, officials have indicated that a decision could potentially come as early as March. Ahead of the meeting, we’ve attempted to clarify some of the key questions surrounding the proposal and how it might affect the community.
Q. What prompted the consideration of outsourcing?
A. The dispatchers, who are unionized, have been working without a contract since April 2013. Village administrators looked into outsourcing as a way to cut costs associated with maintaining the dispatch service.
Q. How much money does the village expect to save?
A. According to Maxeiner, contracting with Lake Zurich could result in savings of $2.1 million over the next five years.
Q. Is the village currently facing financial difficulties?
A. While there aren't immediate concerns, officials have warned that the village could begin running deficits within the next couple of years if changes aren’t made.
Q. Was this idea initiated by Mayor Frank Bart?
A. Bart has stated that the initial inquiries began prior to his taking office in May 2013. However, at a recent board meeting, Bart expressed that operating the 911 center is too expensive to sustain, estimating that eliminating the service could save $600,000 annually. The idea was already underway before Maxeiner became village administrator in November 2013, though he confirmed it was among the initiatives he inherited.
Q. Why was Lake Zurich selected to handle the service?
A. In a press statement, Maxeiner praised Lake Zurich's dispatchers as highly skilled professionals adept at handling emergency situations. He noted that their ability to quickly deploy the appropriate resources to incidents has made them a reliable backup for Wauconda over the years. Additionally, the Lake Zurich dispatch center operates under an accredited police department.
Q. Were other agencies or towns considered for the job?
A. Village officials have reached out to several other entities, including dispatch centers in Mundelein, Fox Lake, and Round Lake, as well as a private company offering similar services. After reviewing pricing data, Maxeiner mentioned that based purely on cost, Lake Zurich appears to be the most favorable option.
Q. Will only the Wauconda Police Department be impacted?
A. No, the Wauconda Fire Protection District, which operates independently, also relies on the police department's dispatchers. Similarly, the Lakemoor and Tower Lakes police departments use these services. Each of these agencies would need to find alternative solutions for their 911 needs.
Q. What will happen to the current dispatchers if the center closes?
A. Ten full-time and two part-time dispatchers would lose their jobs if the proposal is approved.
Q. What will become of the dispatch center's equipment if outsourcing moves forward?
A. Maxeiner suggested that the village might sell the equipment. Alternatively, they could negotiate its continued use or retain it for undisclosed future purposes.
Q. Were residents explicitly told that dispatch services wouldn’t be outsourced when they approved a tax increase for the fire district in 2010?
A. Yes, such assurances were given. However, Mayor Bart has frequently criticized both the referendum and the commitments made to the community. When reminded of this earlier promise, Bart responded, “That was back in 2010. Times have changed.â€
Q. Is outsourcing a foregone conclusion?
A. Absolutely not. Maxeiner’s initial recommendation is just that—a suggestion. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the six members of the village board. If the vote ends in a deadlock of 3-3, Mayor Bart would cast the deciding vote.
Thanks, Dan!
L-amino acids,D-amino acids,DL-amino acids,Compound salts,N-Acetyl-amino acids
Ronas Chemicals Ind. Co.,Ltd. , https://www.ronaschemical-cn.com