Jail, Dispatch Proposal Could Save Huntington Woods $40,000 Annually

The Huntington Woods City Commission decided Tuesday night to further consider an unsolicited proposal from Ferndale to provide dispatch and jail services for the at an estimated savings of $40,000 per year.

Huntington Woods City Manager Alex Allie said earlier Tuesday that Ferndale submitted the proposal a couple months ago; Berkley has provided the services since 1994.

"I am obligated to put it on the agenda for the commissioners to consider," Allie said. "It's a significant savings for us, so we can't ignore it."

He said Ferndale's proposal would provide the same dispatch and jail services as Berkley provides, for an annual savings of approximately $40,000.

Berkley City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa said earlier Tuesday that Huntington Woods pays $99,314 per year to receive dispatch and jail services 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the .

"I believe we provide excellent services at a fair price," Bais-DisSessa said. "We are neighbors, we know each other and we work well together. It's been a good relationship for more than 15 years."

She said Berkley and Huntington Woods also share a school district, along with other services, including:

• Berkley assists Huntington Woods with salt during the winter.
• The cities' Public Works Departments collaborate.
• Huntington Woods buys fuel from Berkley's depot.

Gov. Rick Snyder has encouraged local governments to consolidate services in order to qualify for statutory state-shared revenue funds, which has sparked new partnership proposals throughout the state.

In June, for example, , as well as the termination of its contract with the Ferndale Fire Department, as Pleasant Ridge and Berkley discuss a possible public safety collaboration.

"We did not seek that contract," Bais-DiSessa said. "The city of Pleasant Ridge came to us."

She added that a public safety agreement with Pleasant Ridge is not set in stone.

"As we study it, we may decide that this is something that doesn't work," Bais-DiSessa said. "Things can change very quickly. The council may not approve it. We don't even have an agreement yet.

"We're all struggling," she said. "We're all trying to make ends meet. But it's not just about dollars – it's also about the quality of service we provide. And that's what we're looking at with this contract with Pleasant Ridge."

Huntington Woods Public Safety Director Steve Fairman said Tuesday night that based on finances and quality of services, that he supports the Ferndale dispatch and jail proposal on "an unqualified and unreserved basis."

"I have no doubt that Ferndale services will be as good as Berkley," he said, adding that at a time when Huntington Woods can't afford to cut down dead trees or call back laid-off employees, the city shouldn't ignore an opportunity to save $40,000. "And, I don't mean to disparage Berkley in any shape or form.

"Berkley service has been fine over the years," he said. "I suspect Ferndale's dispatch will be marginally better because it's staffed differently."

Fairman also said Ferndale's jail services could be more convenient because, for example, Huntington Woods officers wouldn't have to go to Ferndale for video arraignments as they do in Berkley.

"This is all about business in my point of view," he said.

But, Bais-DiSessa said Fairman's comments about Berkley's service surprised her, as she's received very few complaints over the years. She added that since the partnership went into effect, it has saved Huntington Woods more than $3 million.

"We ask that you look at the portion of our contract where, if there is a concern, the cities can come together," and discuss it, Bais-DiSessa said. "We think there are other ways we can save both of our cities money."

A six-month notification is required if Huntington Woods were to terminate its contract with Berkley and a new agreement would need to be drawn up with Ferndale.

"I hope that our good service, our good relationship (with Huntington Woods) is something that will be taken into consideration," Bais-DiSessa said earlier Tuesday. "Regardless of what happens, I hope that good relationship will continue."