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Hyde Park council approves phased increase to dispatch fee; unanimous vote
Summary
Hyde Park City Council approved Resolution 2025-04 to raise the monthly dispatch fee from $3.00 to $3.30, with additional small increases phased over subsequent years. Council said the funds will help support wages and the 9-1-1 dispatch center; vote was 5-0.
Hyde Park — The Hyde Park City Council on April 9 approved Resolution 2025-04 amending the city fee schedule to raise the monthly dispatch fee charged on utility bills.
The council voted unanimously, 5-0, to increase the dispatch fee from $3.00 per month to $3.30 beginning with the next billing cycle, with additional scheduled increases in subsequent years that together amount to a total increase of 72 cents by July 2029.
Council members opened a public hearing on the fee schedule after staff explained the change is intended to align the city—s fee schedule with a recently updated regional dispatch agreement. City staff said the first-year increase will raise roughly six figures — "over a hundred thousand on the first year," according to Donya (city staff) — and then add roughly $35,000 to $36,000 in subsequent years tied to the contract schedule.
City staff and council members said the earmarked purpose for the additional revenue is payroll for dispatch operators. "The hope is to go straight for wages to compensate these ladies that are doing such a great job," Marcus (city staff) said during the discussion.
Council members also discussed the reserve account tied to the dispatch service and reported conversations with other local elected officials about ensuring dispatch reserve funds would follow the dispatch center if it moves toward independent operation. Marcus said staff and the mayor are "looking into an agreement that the reserve account will follow the dispatch," to avoid leaving the center underfunded if the governance structure changes.
There were no public comments during the hearing. Council member Stephanie moved to adopt the resolution; Tiffany seconded the motion. The council then voted 5-0 in favor.
The city plans to notify utility customers of the upcoming change via the monthly billing statements, the city newsletter and other messaging channels.
What happened next: The motion passed; staff said they will run billing notices and continue working with partner jurisdictions to clarify reserve-account treatment tied to the dispatch center.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-04, amendment to the Hyde Park fee schedule to raise the monthly dispatch fee; motion to adopt moved by Stephanie (councilmember), seconded by Tiffany (councilmember); outcome: approved, tally reported 5 yes, 0 no; roll-call names for the tally were not read aloud in the meeting transcript.
Context: Council members said they expected the increase to help ensure dispatch staffing and retainment. Staff said the county and unincorporated areas will pay the same increased fee under the joint agreement.
