One of the issues expected to be discussed in 2014 is that of dispatch services in Perry and Dallas County.

Mayor Jay Pattee says it might be time for the City and County to start sharing the cost of this service.

“Dispatch is a large expense for the City of Perry.  I think that our dispatchers do a great job.  I think they’re in a good place right next to the hospital, we wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize our dispatch in Perry but I know that we have already had some discussion with the County, at least two of the Supervisors we’ve talked to about the County picking up part of the cost of dispatch.  I think that’s going to be maybe a hot button in budgetary discussions” says Pattee.

With the local dispatch center, Pattee says Perry residents pay both the City and the County for the service.

“Our people in Perry, they pay the same as every other citizen in Dallas County and part of that goes to dispatching services.  In addition to what they pay, they also pay for a local dispatch center so I think there’s an inequity there.  I think that what they do benefits Perry and I don’t think that Perry should say we don’t have any responsibility to keep up a dispatch center.  But I do think that the County has some responsibility to improve the inequity that exists for our local taxpayers” adds Pattee.

Discussions between the City and the County are expected to happen during future meetings and budget hearings.