THE COMMUNICATIONS SWITCH CONTINUES
The effort to switch all emergency communications over to Washington County from the joint county/city control over the next year and a half is continuing.
Brenham City Manager Terry Roberts said monthly meetings are being held by a committee representing both government agencies.
Roberts says both entities are working on the issue and when the answer will take place.
Washington County will take over emergency dispatching and its almost $1 million in an operation costs.
In exchange, the city agreed to continue to provide services that also benefit county residents, including fire protection and rescue, animal control and library services.
A transition period began on January first, and the county is looking to take over the operation on its own on October first.
The transfer date could be crucial when city and county officials begin discussing their new budgets. The city’s fiscal year runs from October first to September 30th, while the county’s fiscal year is the calendar year.
The city will reduce its tax rate by about three cents when it no longer funds any part of the dispatching operations: the county will probably adjust its tax rate.