City Police Dispatch Service Cost Analysis is Flawed

At a recent council meeting, a council subcommittee submitted a report that determined that it was not economically feasible or justifiable to contract for police dispatch services. The analysis was a simple comparison of the salary of one Morgan Hill dispatcher compared with the salary of a County of Santa Clara’s dispatcher. They are almost the same. However, the study did not consider other costs, and efficiencies and is significantly flawed for the purpose of determining if a cost savings could be achieved should the city decide to contract for dispatch services.

The results from the analysis performed by the council subcommittee can be found with just about any agency as the salary and benefit costs of a dispatcher in one organization is likely to be comparable with another agency within the same locale. The analysis is misleading when you consider all costs including the significant efficiencies of a large central and consolidated center where equipment, channels and dispatchers can be managed, redistributed and resources optimized. Aside from the efficiencies, costs that where not considered in the study are infrastructure costs, building costs, and many other ancillary administrative costs that must be included in a good analysis.

The study failed to draw upon any real comparative analysis on service delivery. Let me give you some figures as it relates to costs and services. The County of Monterey, a large local consolidated center, provides dispatch services to 20 fire departments and districts and 16 police departments including the County Sheriff, California State University at Monterey Bay and the Airport District serving a population of 425,960 with over 60 full-time dispatchers at an approximate cost of $8.7 million annually. These operational costs are inclusive of facility maintenance costs, electronic equipment and communications costs, support staff costs, including supervisory, clerical, and contractual and management staff.  The cost per resident for this vital service is $20.40 ($8.7 million for a 425,960 population).

In Morgan Hill the cost per resident is $32.93 annually based upon the current budgeted costs of $1.26 million and a population of 38,418. The cost for dispatch services is considerably higher in Morgan Hill when compared with Monterey. If we took the difference of $12.53 per resident and multiplied that by our population, some could say that City of Morgan Hill could save $481,000 annually.  On face value large consolidated dispatch centers can and are likely able to provide a service at a significantly reduced cost. The economies of scale can not be denied by a larger organization.

This issue can be settled quickly and easily.  The only organization with the current capability to provide dispatch services locally to the city is the County of Santa Clara. However, to date no one has even asked the county if they could provide the service. To which I ask, why not? The city manager agrees in a personal note that this is the only way to get the answer. I believe some on the council dais may not want to hear the answer. The Chief of Police has indicated to me that a large organization would more than likely cost less but argues that services are different. It is a position I understand an honest opinion but it would require further discussion to which I am open. Asking the county would be prudent and would likely settle the matter and move us to further discussion and other decisions.

What is clear is that residents of Morgan Hill will be asked to support new taxes without considering all possible alternatives. That is something I can not support, and I ask that residents provide me with input in this regard.  My purpose has been to determine if there is savings in dispatch and other areas in order to place additional officers on the street without compromising our services. But to not even look to where government can be more efficient is a clear violation of the principles and values for which I took office.

One other note, no one should doubt my support of public safety.  My record on this is clear.  I worked for a number of years, side by side with police officers, firemen and women and many dispatchers.  I know the good work and the hard work that they do. But in this case, it is the residents of Morgan Hill who must receive the primary consideration until all the information is brought forth.

At this time, I would like to announce a series of meetings with the residents of Morgan Hill. I will host a special coffee for those who would like to discuss this particular issue with me personally. The first of these meetings will be Saturday, 10am-12 noon, at Starbucks Coffee House on Dunne Avenue. Please join me for a one-on-one discussion on municipal government and/or on any other issue of local concern. I hope that these meetings will be informative, enlightening, and engaging.

Mark Grzan is a 13-year Morgan Hill resident. He’s been serving on the Morgan Hill City Council for two years. He’s a computer applications teacher at Gavilan and Foothill colleges and an administrator at San Jose State University. Reach him at

mg*******@ch*****.net











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COFFEE WITH MARK GRZAN

• When: Saturday

• Time: 10am-noon

• Where: Starbucks Coffee House, 840 E. Dunne Ave.