Dean Narciso, The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)

Consolidating the police- and fire-dispatching operations of four Franklin County suburbs could result in savings of more than $1 million annually, a consultant hired by the cities reported.

Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and Worthington received the report from L.R. Kimball and will present it to their respective city councils in coming weeks.

Kimball’s report is based on surveys of each community, on-site visits and similar consolidations in other parts of the country.

Dublin already has a contract to provide dispatching for Norwich Township fire and EMS beginning in October and tentatively for Hilliard police on Jan. 13. The report suggests that Upper Arlington and Worthington monitor that merger to gauge its success and help predict cost savings.

Currently, the combined operating cost for all four dispatching operations is $4.5 million a year. The costs under consolidation would be $3.3 million, according to study estimates. One-time costs to merge operations would be about $785,000, including equipment upgrades and building renovations in Dublin.

The partner cities would compensate Dublin for its higher operating costs, but the report did not say by how much.

The report concluded that merging operations “will result in immediate cost efficiencies and eventual costs savings” by reducing overhead and in some cases staff.

The report cautions, however, that cost savings can vary dramatically even when personnel costs drop because new buildings and equipment often are needed.

The Pennsylvania-based consultant was paid more than $50,000 through a state grant intended to encourage local governments to find ways to share services, and $30,000 from the four cities.

Kimball will present its findings to the Upper Arlington City Council on Sept. 16, said Joe Valentino, the city’s assistant manager.

“I’m excited about it. I think there are some cost savings. I don’t think they’re as big as I had hoped or our council had wanted. I’m anticipating them to be divided.”

The consultant estimated that Dublin could take over Upper Arlington and Worthington’s dispatching services as early as July.

Even with savings, Upper Arlington and other cities are cautious about the possible changeover.

“If there is any loss of service, this is a bad service,” Valentino said.

Hilliard Police Chief Doug Francis is confident there will be no drop in service.

“The ultimate goal is that our resident doesn’t even know that the phone is being picked up in Dublin, that they think they are calling Hilliard police.”

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