FY 18 Annual Report

Communication Center

2018

CITY OF SPENCER, IOWA

Departmental Highlights

The Communication Center is jointly operated by the City of Spencer and Clay County. Each entity provides 50% of the operational funding for the center. The City of Spencer assumes the responsibility for the day-to-day operation and supervision of the Communication Center and the employees. The Communication Center is overseen by a joint City-County Advisory Board. The Communication Center has eight full-time employees, including the Dispatch Supervisor. In FY 18, the staffing levels were changed to eliminate the part-time positions and create eight full-time positions. This was done due to the difficulties trying to find qualified part-time staff to accept such a demanding position. At the time the decision was amide the city had only one-part time positions filled and it was determined that by eliminating the part-time all together and adding another full-time the scheduling of shifts, reliability of staff would be enhanced. The cost tot he City and County converting from two part-time to one full- time position was insignificant as to not make the change.

Budget Review

Total expenditures for the department were $ 443,874.71 for FY 18, a decrease of $19,448.02 (-4.20%) over FY 17. Expenditures for the fiscal year decreased in the general operations of the department and capital expenditures over FY 17. The general operations of the department were lower in the salaries and contractual services categories. Employees of the Communication Center participate in IPERS. Payments to IPERS were lower in the fiscal year due to lower salaries being paid out. There were no capital expenditures for the department with the fiscal year. Overall, the department expended 91.10% of its budget.

45