Levy increase OK’d for Johnson communications center

Taxes will be going up to pay for Johnson County's new joint emergency communications center.

That was expected, but the size of the increase has even members of the board that oversees the center upset.

The board voted 6-1 Friday to approve a budget for next fiscal year that includes a tax levy of 77 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, up 10 percent from 70 cents this year.

That will boost spending to $2.96 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1, compared with $2.3 million this year.

The center opened this summer and combines dispatchers and radio systems for public safety and emergency medical personnel in the county.

The tax levy has been a source of debate between the communications center's board and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, whose members say the center's spending is out of control.

The center is governed by a seven-member policy board with representatives from the county, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency.

They are supposed to have final say over its budget but a year ago found out that the county had reduced the levy unbeknownst to them.

Communications center board members said Friday that, because of the county's actions, the levy increase for next fiscal year is higher than it otherwise would have been and makes them look bad.

“This wouldn't be happening today if something had not happened at the county, and it was a grave error,” said Regenia Bailey, who also is a member of the Iowa City Council.

Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said he understood that but still couldn't support that much of an increase. He proposed a levy of 75 cents per $1,000 to no avail and then cast the lone vote against the budget.

County Supervisor Janelle Rettig, who is not on the center's board, criticized the budget.

“I find that indefensible, and I don't know how anyone could expect to have that large of an increase in a budget in one year,” she said.

Board members have said past budgets required some guesswork because it is a new venture.

“It's a stab in the dark, it's a dark throw until one year” into operations, said Dave Wilson, who also is the county's emergency management coordinator.

They now have a better handle on the center's needs, they said, and also are looking for cost savings.

On Friday, the board expressed interest in increasing the employee deductible for health insurance, but the communications center would absorb the difference and the employee co-pay and out-of-pocket maximum would not change. They also may have employees share costs in vision and dental packages, but the coverage would be equal to or better than what city of Iowa City and Johnson County employees receive.

Those changes could save the center more than $40,000. Board members also were told the center's health insurance costs may not be as high as anticipated, which could allow the board to adjust the budget or add to its reserves. The levy cannot be changed, however.