City wants more money from county to provide dispatch services

The McCook City Council will be asked to raise rates for dispatching services the city provides to the county, at its regular meeting Monday night, 7:30 in City Council Chambers in Memorial Auditorium.

Currently the city is compensated $24,000 annually from Red Willow County for dispatching services.

According to background information provided to the council, city staff claims the level of activity in the city dispatch center at the public safety center has reached a point where an additional dispatcher is needed.

That would allow two dispatchers to be on duty during the busiest times of the day, from 7 a.m., to 8 p.m., on weekdays and from 8 p.m., to midnight on Saturdays, when the public safety center is most taxed.

Costs for a new dispatcher are estimated at $45,000, which includes an annual merit increase of 2.5 percent and cost of living increase determined by the council.

The background report states the city spends $300,000 annually to provide 24-hour radio dispatch and enhanced E-911 services for Red Willow County, including law enforcement, fire and ambulance services.

The McCook City Council will be asked Monday night to direct city staff to negotiate a new contract with Red Willow County to increase fees the city charges for 24-hour dispatch services.

The council will also be asked to discuss again new and amended animal control laws the Animal Control Review Committee proposed at the May 18 council meeting and authorize draft versions of the laws.

The new ordinances are based on current state and local laws and were designed to improve the city's response to animal control issues such as dangerous dogs and dogs at large.

One of the proposed laws creates the position of an animal control officer, with expenses of the position and equipment partially offset by new licensing fees and fines.

Prior to the regular meeting, the council will meet as the McCook Community Development Agency and be asked to approve a resolution that authorizes a number of issues relating to the use of tax increment financing for developing the Keystone Hotel into a business center. The resolution includes issuing a $320,000 TIF bond; providing for the terms and provisions of the bond; pledging revenues of the Agency pursuant to the Community Development Law; authorizing the sale of the bond; providing for a grant; and providing for a Redevelopment contract and for the resolution to pass.

The McCook Economic Development Corp. is the developer of the project and the resolution states that the MEDC will purchase the bonds issued by the Agency, to be repaid from the increased property tax stream created by the TIF. After the 15-year TIF period, the increased taxes will be paid to the normal taxing authorities, such as the school, county, NRDs, etc.

Currently the Keystone is assessed at $120,000 and upon completion of the project, the estimated assessed value will be $2 million, according to a cost benefit analysis presented to the council by attorney Michael Bacon at the May 18 council meeting. Based on current tax levies, the real property taxes will increase from $2,475.30 to about $40,000 annually after the 15-year TIF period ends.

Items on the consent agenda the council will be asked to approve include:

* application for a grant: approve the resolution and agency agreement that allows the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics to act as the McCook Regional Airport's agent, required by state law, and submit an application to the FAA for a grant for the Airport Layout Plan update. Estimated costs of the project are $85,000 with the city's match of $4,250.

* sidewalk cafe: recommend approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission the application from the Looking Glass LLC, dba "Farr's Looking Glass Lounge" at 110-112 Norris Avenue, for an addition to the its liquor license to include a sidewalk cafe at the back of the property.

* lease space to the government: a supplemental lease agreement between the city and the U.S. General Services Administration, (GSA) for an additional 180 square feet of office space at the fire station at McCook Regional Airport, to be used by the Transportation Security Administration.

The GSA, that oversees the business of the federal government, currently leases 788 square feet in the airport fire station and airport terminal and this supplemental agreement is needed due to the creation of a regional supervisor position that will operate out of McCook. The additional space will generate an extra $4,659 in annual revenue to the city, for a total yearly amount of $25,059.