911 Dispatch Center to be Chosen Tuesday Night

Tuesday night, the Richfield City Council will meet to consider how the city should dispatch its emergency personnel. 

Under a tight deadline to buy expensive software for the city's 911 dispatch center, the council had voted to outsource the service last month. The issue had prompted much consternation and debate among residents and city council members alike.

"This is not an easy decision for any of us up here," Councilwoman Sue Sandahl said at last month's council meeting. "For me it comes down to the dollars."

The city has three offers from Bloomington, Edina and Hennepin County to be new dispatch providers. 

Here's the breakdown of costs, provided by a recent Star Tribune article:

• Hennepin County: A one-time transition payment of $80,000;
• Edina: $148,000 a year with $48,600 in transition costs;
• Bloomington: $450,000 a year with $50,000 in transition costs.

• Should Richfield Keep 911 Dispatch Local?
• Star Tribune: Richfield Must Decide by June 15 Whether to Keep City's 911 Dispatch

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