We have only started to see the discussion of potential consolidation of fire services, and already we feel that the local governments may have jumped the gun.
First, we wonder why the fire departments were selected first for consolidation discussion. The three local governments just recently were unable to come to an agreement over consolidating emergency dispatch services, so it seems that attempting to consolidate another emergency service so quickly would have given them pause.
Perhaps this is a play from the League of Cities playbook, as a follow-up to their anti-Amendment 1 lobbying, suggesting that police and fire would be the first things to be cut if Amendment 1 passed. Well, sure enough, one week after Amendment 1 passed, the fire department consolidation showed up on the City Commission agenda. We suspect that the League of Cities knows that if their members announced that they were downsizing street sweeping or lawn mowing operations, there would be a deafening silence from the general public.
Since fire and police services are typically staffed according to a ratio of population, we wonder where the major budget gains will come from, other than potentially consolidating administrative staffs. That is, if any consolidation continues to offer the same response times that the current departments offer.
Finally, if consolidation is to be considered, we question the process of looking at only one option, an Osceola County-wide service. We think it behooves the two cities (Kissimmee and St. Cloud) to look at a joint urban department, while the county would continue to operate their more rural department. Perhaps Kissimmee would also look at what Orange County has to offer.
As we said above, we're not convinced that there are any real budget gains to be had by consolidating public safety services, but we sometimes suspect that when one party comes calling asking to discuss consolidating services, they may have greater needs than what they have to offer.
First, we wonder why the fire departments were selected first for consolidation discussion. The three local governments just recently were unable to come to an agreement over consolidating emergency dispatch services, so it seems that attempting to consolidate another emergency service so quickly would have given them pause.
Perhaps this is a play from the League of Cities playbook, as a follow-up to their anti-Amendment 1 lobbying, suggesting that police and fire would be the first things to be cut if Amendment 1 passed. Well, sure enough, one week after Amendment 1 passed, the fire department consolidation showed up on the City Commission agenda. We suspect that the League of Cities knows that if their members announced that they were downsizing street sweeping or lawn mowing operations, there would be a deafening silence from the general public.
Since fire and police services are typically staffed according to a ratio of population, we wonder where the major budget gains will come from, other than potentially consolidating administrative staffs. That is, if any consolidation continues to offer the same response times that the current departments offer.
Finally, if consolidation is to be considered, we question the process of looking at only one option, an Osceola County-wide service. We think it behooves the two cities (Kissimmee and St. Cloud) to look at a joint urban department, while the county would continue to operate their more rural department. Perhaps Kissimmee would also look at what Orange County has to offer.
As we said above, we're not convinced that there are any real budget gains to be had by consolidating public safety services, but we sometimes suspect that when one party comes calling asking to discuss consolidating services, they may have greater needs than what they have to offer.
4 comments:
In reference to your article a few days ago, read Friday's OBJ. Turns out the county missed out on the Toho Preserve land for a potential "central park" due to it being purchased by a mystery buyer.
Consolidation is just the start of metro-government and a way to phase in larger system that will cost you more and serve you less. It seems that the idea is to pass off the higher costs on to the cities instead of having to raise the costs for those who live in the county.
More words of wisdom from our Mayor. Mr. Mayor, think before you write. My father once told me that to “enter into an intellectual debate with an unarmed person was unfair” so I will return to my normal practice of just hitting delete any time I see an email from Wayne. I will continue to focus on improving our community. I will continue telling the truth, being my own person, and being honest with those I serve.(As written by Mayor Swan)
The only non intellectual is you making idiotic statements. It's not Wayne Evans. He brings up valid points.
Is that a photo of Tony Ferentinos at the top of this article?
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