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Atoka approves new dispatch contract; fees to be based on officers on duty
Summary
The council approved a new dispatch contract with a fee formula tied to the number of officers on duty; staff said dispatch costs had not been increased since 2008 and that the county's alternative would be more expensive for the city.
The Atoka City Council approved a new dispatch contract that moves the city to a per‑officer fee model and takes effect July 1, the council was told.
City staff said the county conducted a cost analysis and determined dispatch costs had not been raised since 2008; the new structure will charge $530 per officer per month and will fluctuate with how many officers are on duty. Staff said last year's total dispatch cost to the county was roughly $51,000. Officials said the sheriff told staff he does not intend to charge dispatch fees to fire departments that lack an independent funding source.
Council members were told the alternative—establishing a local dispatch capability—would be significantly more expensive. “If we don't take this, then we don't have no dispatch service,” a staff speaker said; staff added that operating a dispatch center locally would cost far more than the new contract.
The council approved the contract unanimously and authorized the mayor and police chief to sign related documents. City staff said there will be further negotiation possible on reserve staffing provisions and other technical details, and that the monthly cost to the city will vary with officer staffing levels.
The contract's effective date was given as July 1; staff said the charge will reflect officers scheduled to be on duty at any given time.
