The word "consolidate" in Blaine County should raise the concerns of property tax payers. While in the private sector "consolidation" equates to savings, in Blaine County it seems as if consolidation always calls for more taxpayer dollars.
This time it is only for $835,000 per year to start with. What budgets did these tax dollars come from previously?
I have the following questions: Could these services be privatized like the answering service of past years? Should Hailey handle the whole service since they seem to have a lot lower figure in mind? If it is going to cost $835,000 more, leave it the way it was. Or source it to India. Works for other U.S. businesses.
I would say vote no on this initiative. Look at the ambulance district—they passed one in the spring and are already whining about more money and recently raised their per-call fees. If you need a ride to the emergency room, you'd be better off hiring a limousine service.
Tom Richmond
Zinc Spur