Council transfers $62,000 to pay central dispatch for partial year, suspends three‑reading rule

The London City Council voted to transfer $62,000 from the dispatch salary line to a miscellaneous police line to pay for central dispatching for the remainder of the year.

The city contracted for central dispatching with a provider that began service in July. Otter (staff) told council the full annual cost was about $123,000 but that because the service began mid‑year the city is responsible for a prorated amount now; the first bill is expected in October for service covering July through September.

Council moved to suspend the three‑reading rule and adopt the transfer as an emergency so the city could pay the anticipated invoice promptly. Council members discussed that the money had not been moved earlier even though the contract was in place; staff said the transfer simply had not been routed into the operating budget lines.

A motion to adopt the appropriation transfer passed on roll call. Staff said the transfer will allow the city to pay the central dispatch vendor when the invoice arrives in October; no additional appropriation beyond the $62,000 was approved at the meeting.