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Rochester Hills approves participation in CLEMIS authority after questions on fees and governance
Summary
Deputy Chief Echols and CLEMIS representatives described the new independent Clemis Authority and argued continued participation is necessary to preserve dispatch, records and integrated data services; council sought assurances about fees, board membership and transparency before approving participation and service agreements.
Deputy Chief Echols asked the council to approve a participation and services agreement with the Clemis (Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System) Authority, the regionally shared records and dispatch data service that transitioned from Oakland County to an independent interlocal authority in October.
Clemis representatives described the service as a critical regional backbone connecting nearly 260 public‑safety agencies and explained that membership preserves integrations for dispatch, CAD, medical reporting and mobile data terminals. “Approval of this agreement is essential to ensure the continuity of critical services to the apparatus,” Echols said.
Council members pressed the Clemis representatives on likely fee increases, governance and transparency. Vice President Mangioli and others said the city needs a clearer historical baseline and a public listing of authority board members and meeting schedules so Rochester Hills can monitor future pricing and policy changes. Clemis staff said a 5% across‑the‑board increase had been applied last year, the executive committee (including chiefs and county officials) will set future pricing, and they agreed to provide board information and meeting notices.
Council members emphasized the city's limited options—much of the city’s public‑safety data is already in Clemis, and replacing integrations would be costly. Deputies and chiefs told council that not participating could substantially increase costs or disrupt dispatch integrations. After discussion the council approved the interlocal participation and the Clemis services agreement, authorizing payment of annual invoices subject to appropriation.
Council members left the motion with an expectation Clemis will publish board membership and be candid about future fee trajectories; Rochester Hills will monitor costs during the coming contract year and review renewal during annual appropriation.
