Linn County EMA Commission Meeting February 2012, Public Hearing, Budget Submitted by: Richard Struve Jr,

citizen
Upon reviewing the annual budget as prepared by Finance and Budget, there is an organizational chart on page 10, which clearly shows that, the citizens of Linn County are the party that all of the subsequent agencies and departments are accountable to. This public hearing, and its input, should be weighed on that concept being in mind. In Januarys EMA Commission meeting, the Director mentioned the purchase of an SUV for around $36,000. And one of the justifications to have this was for towing. In December 2011s meeting, there was effort to explain and shine the contributions of the HAZMAT Team, and within that came the efforts of towing trailers and other needed items. The justification of capital purchases is being re-used, and would bring a conclusion that any more than one justification for something would be a false statement. And as mentioned in January 2012s meeting, placing false information on public record is a felony under 721.1 of the Iowa code. This does open the door for further review. A justification for something can not be used one month, then used again later to justify the same effort. More recently the County Auditor explained the IRS rule on non-essential vehicles, and the fact that these vehicles deemed non-essential are not authorized to be taken home without a charge being applied. The fact that the IRS, and the agencys role, is not that of a first response type service should dictate that the vehicles are not taken home at all. As a tax payer, it is not only unethical, improper, and a huge expense, but in these times of cost savings and huge government debt. Efforts should be made to refrain from non-essential costs. And having the tax payer basically lease fully gassed vehicles to government employees should not be enabled, for any agency. The wear and tear, in addition to the gas, are costs that the employee should cover, not a tax payer, or in this case, the entity at the top of the organizational structure. The tax payers are basically the stockholders here, and do have a voice. A consideration for two mid sized cars, minimal marking, no lights or radios, should be considered in place of a gas guzzling SUV. The efficient cars would be a better fit for the daily operations given the new radio system (use of handhelds) and no lights given the agency is not a primary first response agency. A $50 dash light could also be used for added marking. The older staff cars, including the current SUV, could be held for when those needs could arise. Typically, a 10-15 minute delay, or even 30 minutes, in the arrival of EMA staff is not going to change the situation. Also, given a higher than average number of staff, volunteers in the area, HAZMAT support and its SUV, along with the Sheriffs dispatcher, most situations are covered. An aspect of Emergency Management is prepare. During the flood of 2008, a database was made of people calling in, volunteering their resources, including trucks. Many of the agencys volunteers also have SUVs and trucks and can tow in time of need. Furthermore, most cities have utility vehicles which can tow an item, in which they need, instead of EMA executing that task or maintaining a vehicle to do that, when it is rarely needed. Or, as a last resort, rent one for a short period. The ICS training that was done a few years back also alluded that, EMA is more of a coordination entity, and not one that is doing the actual work. This would also further explain why the state went to the head title of coordinator for that position, though Linn County has elected to deviate from that standard.

Recently when the salaries of some county officials were reported including the justification for them. It was revealed that a comparison theme was done with other agencies in the state. Using that same justification technique, and looking at the resourcefulness of other EMA operations, one could claim that Linn County is resource rich, which lessens the justification for elaborate vehicles to execute daily functions. And given a good majority of the county is made up of incorporated areas, it further lessens the need for SUV type vehicles. Most people that are employed decide whether or not they need their own SUV type vehicle to drive to work, based on where they live, and, the importance of them getting to work in adverse situations. It is up to the staff to decide where they live, and what they drive to maintain employment, not the tax payer. Again looking at other agencies and how resourceful they are, we can look at the HAZMAT Team again, and mirror the efforts of the volunteer base as other agencies have done. Some have utilized Amateur Radio clubs, which would be a perfect group to go out and check weather radios and alert systems. Given the radio group is affiliated with the agency, this would be a good fit, and considering the group is also used as a key severe weather reporting entity, which is empowered and entrusted to call in reports which can cause the entire community to shut down, costing millions of dollars. I think the simple task of checking a battery in a radio would be within their scope. Another resource which could be used is the CERT members (which are utilized in other counties) that were trained by EMA staff. Funding to train these individuals was done by diverting funds initially requested by another proven, organized, and lifesaving CERT group in the area. So it would make sense to use the efforts of these individuals so that the diverted funding that was not provided to the lifesaving group does not go wasted. This recent CERT group is yet another volunteer source which can be utilized as in other counties across the state. Knowing that there are union concerns, some of the activities would not encroach on in-office staff duties. It would mirror duties that have already been deemed acceptable, like on the HAZMAT Team, doing towing and other tasks, and not conflicting with union parameters. In conclusion, in the interest of submitting an approved budget given the timeline. I would ask that my input, acting as a citizen at the top of the organizational structure, be strongly considered in this meeting, so they do not have to be duplicated at the County Board meeting. With potential cost cutting measures on the horizon, as indicated by KCRG below, it is crucial that the cost saving measures be adopted as a parameter of the budget. In addition to a timeline being put in place for those actions being completed and accountability for its completion. The need to savor resources, like vehicles, becomes more imperative when financial uncertainty looms. They need to be reserved for business, not transportation to and from work. And efficiencies within the work setting be reviewed, and allow other resources to be utilized where they can, which also falls within the scope and directives of the Iowa Code and the role of EMA. Rich Struve Jr. Cedar Rapids, Ia, Linn County.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts139689093.html