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Commissioners press to retain $1.7 million federal dispatch funding; explore tying dispatch to College Place police building
Summary
Commissioners discussed efforts to keep $1.7 million in federal funds for a new dispatch center, including an in-person meeting at Camp Murray with Department of Defense and state emergency management officials and a proposal to attach dispatch to a planned College Place police building to reduce costs.
County commissioners discussed plans to try to retain roughly $1.7 million in federal funds earmarked for a new regional dispatch center and to explore lower-cost options for using the money.
A commissioner said they will travel to Camp Murray in Tacoma for an in-person meeting with Department of Defense representatives and state emergency management staff to press to keep the funding in the local project. Commissioners noted the funds are federal but funnel through state channels and the Emergency Management Department; meeting comments indicated the county would be required to provide a local match of about $500,000 to use the $1.7 million grant.
One option under discussion is to coordinate a dispatch center with the planned College Place Police Department building so dispatch could be added during the police building’s construction rather than funding a separate new structure; commissioners said that could reduce engineering and structural costs. College Place officials were reported to be receptive to continuing the conversation and reworking their bond/proposal after a failed vote.
County leaders cautioned that the federal/state fund has been delayed twice and that officials may ultimately decline the county’s request; the meeting at Camp Murray is intended as an advocacy step. Commissioners said the initial goal is to preserve the $1.7 million while pursuing a practical local construction approach if the funds are retained.
