The matter came up as Human Resources Director Kathy Kearney presented her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes general government accounts.

Kearney has asked for a total of $323,390 to pay the city's share for E-911, which is nearly $100,000 more than it paid last year, Scherer said.

(The city's next budget work session will be next Thursday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in the first floor conference room at city hall, where council will review the proposed public works budget as well as Kearney's. See related story at this link)

Council inquired about what it would cost for the city to operate its own system.

Scherer said it would require five employees with salary and benefits running $50,000 per person. “We've had some preliminary discussions. We're trying to look at all the cost factors. We're looking at the numbers and what it would cost us to have our system. Our numbers went up around $100,000 while the county's went down $40,000. We didn't think that was fair.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie asked Scherer about the level of service the city could provide.

“I think we can do better,” Scherer said. “Their training budget is huge and I don't think they always see a return on investment over there. We feel we may be better off with our own equipment.”

Scherer said the basement in city hall has the connections which would allow for it to be converted to a 911 center. “We're starting to look at the impact of us going with our own 911 system.”

If the numbers determine it would be cost effective for the city to go that route, it would have to give the county a year's notice.

Also during this afternoon's budget session, Kearney noted her budget has been calculated for a 2 percent cost of living increase for employees, which will cost $275,520.

Kearney also noted the general liability insurance account is essentially at a hold the line level for the upcoming fiscal year. “This insurance covers a variety of items such as vehicles, property, equipment and liability claims. This year was a good year for us,” she said in her budget notes.

She requested $175,298 for the upcoming fiscal year while the account at the end of this fiscal year is expected to be $172,065.