Fire dispatch deal almost complete

A few details need tweaking but the United Counties and the Town of Hawkesbury are almost ready to sign off on a contract for fire dispatch service.

Stéphane Parisien, chief administrator for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR), presented counties Council, May 10, with a 10-page draft of the proposed contract for fire dispatch service between the UCPR and the Town of Hawkesbury.

“What’s most important to you is the cost,” said Parisien. “I can tell you, it’s fair and equitable for all seven (municipalities) involved in this agreement.”

The three-year contract proposal calls for payments of $407,685, $474,600, and $485,550, from the UCPR to Hawkesbury, for fire dispatch service for 2017-2018, 2018- 2019, and 2019-2020. These are the basic figures. Within 90 days of the end of each calendar year, Hawkesbury will provide a report on the actual net cost for fire dispatch for the previous year. The two sides will then settle up on any surplus or deficit that happens.

This contract, if approved, will assure fire dispatch service continues for seven of the eight municipalities in the UCPR. The City of Clarence-Rockland will not be part of that service because it has its fire dispatch handled through the City of Ottawa.

The mayors on counties council indicated satisfaction with the draft agreement. A final version will come up for review and approval during the regular session of UCPR Council, later in May.