2/24/2010 8:32:00 AM County Board pushes split costs for DaneCom
Jim Ferolie Unified Newspaper Group
After Mike Willett's last shot at getting the county to pay for DaneCom's annual costs failed Thursday night, he decided if he can't beat 'em he might as well join 'em.
The County Board supervisor from Verona made the first motion of the night on a board resolution regarding DaneCom, the proposed countywide radio system that has been the source of major disagreements regarding cost-sharing. Willett, who had co-sponsored a competing resolution that didn't make it out of committee, asked that all references to cost-sharing be removed from County Board Resolution 233 - effectively turning it into his buried resolution - but it failed 24-11 despite an extended debate.
"Most of the people voting against it were saying we simply can't afford it," he said. "That's a legitimate argument."
Eventually, after more than an hour of discussion on three separate motions, CBR 233 passed by an overwhelming majority, 31-4, including a vote from Willett and several other co-sponsors of his resolution.
"This is the best alternative that's on the table," he explained. "I encouraged others to vote for it, too. ... Now it's up to the municipalities."
CBR 233, as amended, refers to the "principles outlined" in the original Dane County Cities and Villages Association proposal Jan. 14, before negotiations broke down with the county executive's office. That compromise, which didn't gain full support of the represented municipalities, asks for the county to fund all operating and maintenance of the system in 2012, half in 2013 and split with state agencies and all cities, towns, villages based on usage thereafter.
"As negotiations continue, it is appropriate for the County Board to indicate it's (sic) support for some general principles for cost-sharing," the resolution reads.
The resolution also specifies a minimum level of service that suited both the City of Madison and the Dane County Fire Chiefs Association and a governance committee that will recommend upgrades and determine the exact model for cost-sharing in the future. The makeup of the committee was also outlined by the DCCVA in its Jan. 14 counterproposal.
After getting an unsatisfactory response from the county executive's office Jan. 20, however, the DCCVA passed its own resolution that night, without dissent, to abandon the idea of cost-sharing and insist that the county pay for all costs. The main reasoning given for the change of heart was that some municipalities would inevitably opt out of the system, rendering its interoperable capabilities somewhat moot.
The deeper issue, however, was what DCCVA president Jon Hochkammer called a "lack of trust" for County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Thirteen municipalities have signed letters of intent supporting systems that are 100 percent funded by the county. Seven, including Fitchburg, have sent letters to the county exec accepting split costs.
The county has set a March 1 deadline for municipalities to opt in or opt out of the system, having twice pushed the date back. Hochkammer said five County Board supervisors were at the DCCVA's Feb. 17 meeting to explain the county's financial limitations and that the DCCVA was set to meet again Feb. 24 to discuss the County Board vote.
"I think a lot of municipalities are waiting to see what everyone else is doing before they proceed," he said. "It will be interesting to see how many of them continue to reject the proposal."
