Hermiston council approves FY24-25 dispatch IGA after months of negotiation

Hermiston City Council on Monday authorized the city manager to sign the fiscal year 2024–25 intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Umatilla County for consolidated dispatch services, approving the city’s share at about $476,842 for the year.

City Manager Smith told the council the negotiated figure is lower than what a strict population-based formula would have produced; he said that formula would have put Hermiston’s share at roughly $654,319. Smith also said the county has agreed to the lower amount “as a result of a lot of discussions between the county and the cities.”

The matter mattered to council members mainly because of sharp increases in the city’s dispatch costs in recent years and the timing of county notifications. Councilor Litton and others pressed Smith for detail on why costs have risen and on whether the current split is fair. Smith attributed recent increases largely to added dispatch positions and a union contract renegotiation; he said the city’s biggest complaint historically has been the timing of receiving cost information after the council’s budget adoption.

Councilors discussed alternative approaches to long-term dispatch service: moving to a calls-for-service formula, forming a “West End” regional dispatch center, reopening a city-run dispatch, or contracting with another agency. Smith said the city had operated its own dispatch before consolidation in 2014 and that preliminary conversations about alternatives have occurred, but no feasibility study or firm cost estimates have been developed. He estimated that, if a workable arrangement with the county cannot be reached, the city would begin looking at other alternatives within 12 to 18 months.

Council members also disclosed possible conflicts of interest at the outset: Mayor Doug Primer said he had notified the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and was cleared to participate because his wife is a 9‑1‑1 dispatch manager with the sheriff’s office; Councilor Roberts likewise said she consulted the ethics commission and was advised there was no disqualifying conflict based on her family connections.

After council questions and no public comment, the council voted to authorize the city manager to sign the IGA; the motion passed unanimously.

What the IGA covers and next steps: Smith said the agreement covers current consolidated dispatch services and includes a 365‑day notice requirement if the city gives notice it will not need county dispatch services going forward. He said staff will continue negotiating with county officials and commissioners to improve advance notice of new positions or union-driven cost changes so the city can budget earlier and more accurately. Councilors asked for better prior communication and said they want staff to continue discussions with the county finance office.

The council’s approval obligates the city to pay the negotiated FY24‑25 amount and preserves the city’s options to revisit the delivery model later. Councilors emphasized that dispatch is an essential public safety function and said they prefer consolidation if it can be made predictable and affordable.

The action clears the way for the city to pay its share for dispatch services this fiscal year while staff continues to pursue process and transparency improvements with county partners.