Farmington Officials Unanimously Approve Public Safety Dispatch Agreement

Though their vote to authorize a public safety dispatch services agreement was split, officials came together Monday night to approve a final contract with the .

, council members agreed to enter into the agreement. City attorney Thomas Schultz said he worked with Farmington Hills city attorney Steve Joppich, Farmington Public Safety (FPS) Director Bob Schulz and Chief Chuck Nebus to craft the agreement. 

Schultz said he used similar agreements as models. "This is the best of all those worlds," he said. 

Contract language addressed in the months leading up to the April vote, including reductions in service levels and the fear that moving dispatch is a step toward merging the two departments.

The contract is for 24/7 dispatch services, with "no law enforcement functions", Schultz explained. "They will accommodate what we're used to doing for the whole range of dispatch that we get," he added. 

Council member Kristin Kuiken asked what would happen when residents call the FPS non-emergency number. Director Schulz said there would be some kind of default that would allow anyone who calls that number and needs contact with an officer to get through to Farmington Hills dispatch. 

Farmington residents also expressed concern that their calls would be treated differently. Schultz said three areas of the agreement ensure that Farmington calls will be on the same footing as those coming in from Farmington Hills. 

"I'm comfortable they'll provide the full range of service we're used to," FPS director Schulz said. 

Officials unanimously approved the agreement, with the caveat that city manager Vince Pastue and Schultz are authorized to make any necessary and "non-substantive adjustments". 

Mayor Tom Buck voted against the interlocal proposal in April, but said he was voting yes because "at this point in time, I'm voting in favor of the collaborative relationship we have with Farmington Hills." He added that council members and the public did not have time to fully understand the final agreement. 

"It's kind of last minute," he said. 

Council member JoAnne McShane said while she voted no in April, supporting the agreement is "a step in being unified and moving forward. I think we need to look at this in the most positive way."