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Motion expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County, supporting an increase in reimbursement of funding for the Regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) which provide direct, full-service emergency dispatch services and encouraging the Administration to take the appropriate steps to increase said funding in a timely manner.
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WHEREAS, there are currently six Public Safety Answering Points in Allegheny County; Allegheny County's, the City of Pittsburgh's, and four regional centers (NEWCOM, Northwest, Eastern Regional, and South Hills); and
WHEREAS, the regional centers have been operating under regional center agreements which originally expired on December 31, 2002 and have been extended several times; the most recent extension will expire on June 30, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the amount of funding received pursuant to the regional center agreements has remained consistent since the agreements were first signed in 1997; while that total reimbursed fifty-five percent (55%) of costs in 1997, it only accounts for thirty-eight percent (38%) now; and
WHEREAS, while the County currently has fiscal constraints that must be taken into consideration, the regional centers provide a public safety service to residents that would otherwise rely upon the County for such service and, accordingly, should be reimbursed for such service; and
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that an increase in reimbursement of funding is supported for the Regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) which provide direct, full-service emergency dispatch services and the Administration is encouraged to take the appropriate steps to increase said funding in a timely manner.