City/County in negotiations over dispatch services
City of Portales Press Release
For immediate Release
In an effort to best serve the Citizens of the City of Portales, City Administration is in ongoing negotiations with Roosevelt County Administration regarding city provided Dispatch, Fire and Emergency Services. The Portales Police Communications Center currently dispatches all requests for services for Portales Police and Fire, Animal Control, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Department, and all County Fire Departments. At the present time, the County provides no financial support for Dispatch Services and $30,300 for Fire Support Services. City records reflect that 24% of the call volume is for unincorporated areas of the county. At this time, City Administration is requesting that County Administration provide financial support proportionate to the call volume in the unincorporated areas. The Residents of the City of Portales are expected to bear a disproportionate amount of the cost for these services that are being provided for the unincorporated County Residents.
The City’s position is not to discontinue the essential services that are provided to the residents in the unincorporated areas of Roosevelt County. However, City Administration believes that it is not in the best interest of the Portales Citizens to continue to subsidize for the areas outside the municipal boundaries. The City of Portales has, is, and will, continue to collaborate with Roosevelt County Administration in any way possible. Both Administrations must deliver an earnest effort so that these requests for financial support can be attained in order to continue these services to remain at a level that is adequate for county and city residents in their time of need.
Essential Services will not be impacted at this time. City Council plans to meet in regard to the negotiations on July 5, 2022, at 6:30 pm, during their regular Council meeting. If you have any questions on this, please contact your respective City Councilor and/or County Commissioner.
