A few actions were taken at the April 3rd, 2017 Council
Meeting that change or renew contracts we have with those who provide specific
services to the city. We start with a
renewal. The Fire Contract was renewed
with the Pequot Lakes Fire Department.
The contact for annual fire service for 2017-8 is $86,725.04. Last year the contract amount was
$83,700.30. This is an increase of
$3,024.74. We had budgeted $85,000 for
this year so this line item will be slightly over the budgeted amount for the
year. The contract is allocated on a
formula basis which takes into consideration use and values being served,
averaged over a period of 10 years.
The city has used the firm of CW Technology to manage our IT
functions. This firm has done a great
job for the city but another option became available. This option is through the Service Cooperative
of the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA).
They have been working cooperatively with a number of cities managing
their technology functions. We inquired
about their service and were quoted costs that would save the city a minimum of
about $1,800 annually. Actual savings
may be more based on additional costs we experience with CW Technology. The change was made to start with NJPA in
May. Some time was needed to provide for
the transition.
We also made a change with animal control. In the past we have used HART as a shelter
for stray dogs and cats. This service
came at a cost of $2,824 annually plus additional expenses for boarding, vet
services up to $50, and euthanizing expenses.
Recently a new animal shelter was established in rural Pequot Lakes
called the Babinski Foundation Animal Shelter.
This facility is a low kill facility which provides these services at no
cost. It is funded by the
foundation. Anyone can surrender or
adopt an animal without a fee. Moving to
this shelter will save the city costs.
Those animals that are picked up and retrieved by the owner pay a fee of
$30 to the city of Breezy Point to cover our costs in addressing the
stray. This cost is less than what would
have been paid in recovering an animal from HART.
The option to make a change to save public funds is always
something to consider. We believe the
changes in these services not only save dollars but also better serve us.
