Dekalb County CEO, Burrell Ellis, recommends charging the new city of Brookhaven 2.5 million dollars for 3 months of temporary services-primarily for police. That figure is more than one million dollars higher than the county charged the City of Dunwoody when it launched in 2009 (found on page 23 in the 2009 Dunwoody Budget).
The Dekalb 2013 Executive Budget Recommendations state the following:
"Brookhaven will likely require a transition (for at least 3 months) before they are ready to assume operations, similar to the start up of Dunwoody in 2009, especially in the Police operations; therefore, we anticipate a reimbursement of $2.5 million for these temporary services. If Brookhaven does not request any transition services, Police personnel will be reduced through attrition."
Dekalb County Chief Communications Officer, Burke Brennan tells the Post, “It's a reasonable estimate for the minimum amount of services until an Inter Governmental Agreement can be worked out.”
We spoke to Brennan the week before Christmas. At that time, he told us there had been no formal negotiations for an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on transition services. Brennan added, “[Brookhaven] Elected leadership have reached out to the staff of Dekalb County. There have been some informal conversations.”
At the December 28th City of Brookhaven Council meeting, Interim City Attorney Bill Riley, told the council “I've already spoken to the Assistant County Attorney on this...to work on police, 911 and municipal court transfer. The 911 would be essentially the same as fire as it is right now. It will be seamless. “
The Carl Vinson Institute (CVI) conducted a study to determine if the City of Brookhaven was viable. That study estimates that Police Services would cost Brookhaven 5.5mm for an entire year. If Dekalb County does in fact charge 2.5mm for 3 months of service, that equates to 10mm – nearly double CVI estimate. Brookhaven City officials state that the 2.5mm number as it appears in the Dekalb County 2013 Executive Budget Recommendation is believed to be a “placeholder”.
A phone call to Brookhaven City Hall from the Post was not returned. But, District 2 Councilman, Jim Eyre responded to an email.
“Brookhaven will strive to negotiate as favorable terms as possible for the city and are providing the resources necessary to complete these negotiations on behalf of the City”, commented District 2 Councilman, Jim Eyre.
We will continue to follow this developing story and keep you posted.
The Dekalb 2013 Executive Budget Recommendations state the following:
"Brookhaven will likely require a transition (for at least 3 months) before they are ready to assume operations, similar to the start up of Dunwoody in 2009, especially in the Police operations; therefore, we anticipate a reimbursement of $2.5 million for these temporary services. If Brookhaven does not request any transition services, Police personnel will be reduced through attrition."
Dekalb County Chief Communications Officer, Burke Brennan tells the Post, “It's a reasonable estimate for the minimum amount of services until an Inter Governmental Agreement can be worked out.”
We spoke to Brennan the week before Christmas. At that time, he told us there had been no formal negotiations for an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on transition services. Brennan added, “[Brookhaven] Elected leadership have reached out to the staff of Dekalb County. There have been some informal conversations.”
At the December 28th City of Brookhaven Council meeting, Interim City Attorney Bill Riley, told the council “I've already spoken to the Assistant County Attorney on this...to work on police, 911 and municipal court transfer. The 911 would be essentially the same as fire as it is right now. It will be seamless. “
The Carl Vinson Institute (CVI) conducted a study to determine if the City of Brookhaven was viable. That study estimates that Police Services would cost Brookhaven 5.5mm for an entire year. If Dekalb County does in fact charge 2.5mm for 3 months of service, that equates to 10mm – nearly double CVI estimate. Brookhaven City officials state that the 2.5mm number as it appears in the Dekalb County 2013 Executive Budget Recommendation is believed to be a “placeholder”.
A phone call to Brookhaven City Hall from the Post was not returned. But, District 2 Councilman, Jim Eyre responded to an email.
“Brookhaven will strive to negotiate as favorable terms as possible for the city and are providing the resources necessary to complete these negotiations on behalf of the City”, commented District 2 Councilman, Jim Eyre.
We will continue to follow this developing story and keep you posted.
