After exploring the option to consolidate telecommunications with the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department, Rochelle officials have decided to table further discussion on the matter at this time.
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ROCHELLE — After exploring the option to consolidate telecommunications with the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department, Rochelle officials have decided to table further discussion on the matter at this time.
In recent months officials have looked at ways to trim the overall expenses within each of the departments. The possibility of the consolidation was an option.
“All City of Rochelle departments have been asked to analyze their operations in order to identify efficiencies and related cost savings. As part of that process, representatives from the city and Ogle County met multiple times to explore the possibility of consolidated dispatch,” Sue Messer, Interim City Manager, explained. “Although there are efficiencies to be gained through consolidation, there are also challenges that would need to be addressed. No further meetings are scheduled at this time.”
Since the fiscal year 2017 budget was approved last December, Rochelle City Council has been concerned with the $1.2 million deficit. At that time, council directed then City Manager David Plyman to return to council with a three-year plan to completely eliminate the reliance of landfill tipping fees to balance the budget.
“As we look at this year’s budget, we’re short of having the income to support the budget that’s already been passed,” Councilman Tom McDermott said in a June interview. “We either have to increase our income, or we have to decrease our expenditures. There are a lot of decisions that could be made.”
At the time, McDermott stressed the importance of exploring all avenues, including the consolidation of the telecommunications center with Ogle County. Since then, and after several meetings to discuss merging, it has been determined there are more challenges to just consolidating the departments.
Police Chief Eric Higby explained communicators “provide a critical link in delivering law enforcement services, and are often overlooked as a component of community policing.”
“Our telecommunicators have first hand knowledge of Rochelle, and that too helps speed the delivery of services. Keeping our center open allows for citizens to walk in and have immediate contact with someone. We work well with the Ogle County’s 9-1-1 center as they serve as our backup and we serve as a backup for them.”
