March 13, 2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

9. DISCUSS AND PLACE ON FILE GRAND ISLAND /HALL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT 2011 ANNUAL REPORT - Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund stated that this is the first report to the City of Grand Island and Hall County to help communicate what they want to accomplish and let them know where the dollars are coming from. There is statistical analysis of the work load and a report on the grants and how they offset the budgeted dollars. There are also the landline and wireless revenues. There are five program areas. They take the 911 calls and provide the dispatch to answer the calls. Lancaster stated that she appreciates that he provided the report and also reviewed the information with the county board. Hall County does participate in the cost of this department. Purdy noted that the call numbers were down and Mr. Rosenlund stated that through the years you can see a seasonal trend. He noted information on the calls on page 17 of the report. Schuppan questioned if they have a handle on the nuisance calls. Mr. Rosenlund stated that businesses usually generate necessary calls. If a party generates nuisance calls they send a letter stating that they will be charged a fee if there are excessive false alarms and they generally fix the system to eliminate the penalty. There recently was a company that was selling hundreds of residential alarms and they try to contact the owners if there are repeat calls. Arnold noted that there are a lot of training issues regarding the home alarms. The board thanked him for the information. 12. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE HALL COUNTY SALES TAX - Lancaster stated that she provided information the Platte Institute and the sales tax issue has been brought up before and she welcomes the discussion. Schuppan stated that he just wanted to generate discussion from the county board but he has a concern on the process of how this works. The entire county can vote on it but it would only affect businesses outside the city limits. We need to do something if the inheritance funds go away. Lancaster expressed concern on how the county sales tax issue is voted on and all county residents have the right to vote on the issue but it only affects people outside of the city limits. Arnold noted that the percentage is V% or 1 % % that is allowed to be collected buy the sales tax and it has to be used for public safety and there is a board that over sees the use of the money. It does not come to the county general fund it is very specific what it can be used for. In addition to that there are very few retail businesses located outside the city limits. Lancaster stated that they looked at this several years ago and there are a limited number of businesses. She also stated that the dollars have to be used for public safety. McFarland stated that goods purchased outside the city would not be subject to city sales tax but goods and services outside the city would be charged the county sales tax. Lancaster stated that the county needs the revenue from the inheritance tax to continue what we are doing now. She noted how the corrections department has tried to make his budget work and the public works department has serious issues with the roads and bridges. Now public works is putting paved roads back to gravel. If the sales tax could help support public safety then they could commit the county dollars to county issues. Purdy noted that 52% of the county budget goes for public safety. 4