Merger talks on table in Lenoir

CITY'S POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS COULD BE CONSOLIDATED INTO ONE PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION

CITY MANAGER LANE BAILEY SAID THE MOVE COMES AS A RESULT OF THE CITY'S DECLINING TAX BASE

Sunday, August 27, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

In hopes of better dealing with tight budgets, the city of Lenoir is looking at consolidating its fire and police departments into one public safety division.

The move, said City Manager Lane Bailey, results from the city's declining tax base, which is severely hit every time another furniture factory closes. Last fiscal year, general fund revenues dropped by nearly $1.3 million, or 8 percent, to $14.9 million.

"We're always looking at ways that we can do things more efficiently," Bailey said. "But this is probably the thing that people would talk about because it's unusual."

Only a few public safety divisions exist in the state, including the 30-year-old department in Morganton, said Matt Lail, public affairs officer at the N.C. League of Municipalities. Lenoir is looking at that program initially.

If the city decides to combine the agencies, Bailey said, no jobs would be cut, and salaries would remain the same. One director would oversee the operation, as opposed to one fire chief and one police chief, he said.

Bailey said a public safety department probably isn't the best way to deliver services because fire departments and police departments are so specialized. But other city departments have already been trimmed considerably, leaving little room for further cuts, he said.

In 2004, the city cut 17 jobs in public works and recreation, and five more positions are being nixed from the budget this year, Bailey said.

"Positions that existed in the city are no longer there," he said. "We've had some very tough issues."

The city wouldn't likely see savings until fiscal year 2009 if a public safety division is implemented, Bailey said. He also said it's premature to say if it would be a good move for Lenoir.

"This is just one of the things that we are going to look at," he said.

Bailey doesn't know specifically how much the city might gain by consolidating the departments, but he said the savings would have to be significant to justify the merger.

Fire Chief Ken Briscoe and Police Chief Joey Reynolds said they understand that the city has to consider all the options.

"We want to be good stewards of our taxpayers' money," Briscoe said.
Bailey said the City Council initially discussed the idea during budget talks in June and will look at its feasibility at a January budget retreat.

The city of Morganton merged its police and fire departments in 1976 to fight a lagging economy and bolster efficiency, said Pam Walker, the city's public information officer.

"Our council still believes in the system, and it seems to work well for us," she said.

Morganton's Public Safety Division was budgeted at $7.7 million for fiscal year 2006-07. Lenoir has slated a combined $7.7 million for the police and fire departments for the same year.

The populations of Morganton and Lenoir are about 17,000 residents each, according to the 2000 census.

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