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Truckee Police among three Nevada County agencies who OK regional dispatch center

Christopher Rosacker
crosacker@theunion.com
File photoA Truckee Police officer looks on during the early May 2012 incident involving a man firing a gun near local schools.
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NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. and#8212; Three of Nevada Countyand#8217;s local law enforcement agencies have given a green light to a consolidated police dispatch service provided by the Nevada County Sheriffand#8217;s Office and#8212; a merger touted as a money saver for each agency.

With the Nevada City Counciland#8217;s unanimous vote at Wednesday nightand#8217;s meeting to join Grass Valley and Truckee police departments in the consolidation, only the Nevada County Board of Supervisors is left to approve the matter for the sheriffand#8217;s office.

The supervisors are expected to tackle the issue at their Oct. 9 meeting, said Nevada City Police Chief Jim Wickham.



The Grass Valley city council and Truckeeand#8217;s town council approved the matter at their respective meetings Tuesday night.

and#8220;I think this is the best thing for Nevada City and the best thing for the whole county,and#8221; Wickham said. and#8220;Itand#8217;s about time the four agencies worked together to have a regional dispatch.and#8221;



The sheriffand#8217;s office and its nine-person dispatch center already provide Nevada Cityand#8217;s police communication and also maintains a substation on Donner Pass Road in eastern Nevada County, which traditionally has had about six employees providing dispatch for the Truckee Police Department, according to Sheriff Keith Royal.

Nevada City just approved a $133,000 contract to continue that service, which is projected to increase $30,000 next year, and Truckee doles out more than a half-million dollars annually to the sheriffand#8217;s office. Grass Valleyand#8217;s dispatch center costs about $553,000 annually to operate and staff.

If all four law enforcement agencies reach agreement, Grass Valley would save $163,000 annually; Truckee close to $200,000; and Nevada City would save about $30,000, on top of avoiding another $30,000 increase next year.

Royal predicted that each agency would see further savings in subsequent years, citing conservative estimates for this yearand#8217;s implementation of the consolidated model.

Consolidation would mean the shuttering of the Truckee dispatch facility, as well as Grass Valleyand#8217;s own dispatch center, which would lose its four full-time dispatchers and two part-timers.

and#8220;It makes sense financially, but because it involves people and my employees, it is tough,and#8221; said Grass Valley Police Chief John Foster at Tuesdayand#8217;s Grass Valley City Council meeting.

Grass Valley voted 4-1 to approve the matter Tuesday, with Councilwoman Yolanda Cookson and#8220;respectfullyand#8221; dissenting against the majority, citing the comforts of having a more local dispatch service familiar with Grass Valleyand#8217;s streets and issues.

and#8220;Weand#8217;ve been dealing with Nevada City and Truckee as customers for a number of years, and I truly believe that working with Grass Valley, it is going to work,and#8221; Royal said at Tuesdayand#8217;s Grass Valley City Council meeting.

As part of their decisions Tuesday, Grass Valley Council members also approved how the savings would be allocated.

GVPD stands to see the addition of three positions, including a clerk to continue to staff the departmentand#8217;s public office during regular business hours, a sergeant position and a vacant officer position, Foster said

Nevada City Policeand#8217;s savings would go toward offsetting its deficit that started the year at $50,000.

Eliminating the Truckee dispatch center would allow Royal to staff efficiently the substationsand#8217;s jail, which acts as a temporary holding facility until inmates are transported to Nevada City.

and#8220;Our goal is to provide the highest level of service for all agencies,and#8221; Royal said Tuesday. and#8220;There are some benefits to be had by all.and#8221;


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