SCHERERVILLE | Schererville has joined other Lake County communities that oppose a proposed interlocal agreement for the consolidation of E-911 services.
Town Council President Tom Schmitt read a letter Wednesday from Police Chief David Dowling that indicates the council shouldn't sign the agreement.
The General Assembly mandated communities consolidate into no fewer than two public safety call centers by Dec. 31, 2014.
Failure to meet the consolidation deadline would mean the loss of millions of dollars in state subsidies now keeping emergency communications up and running.
The council unanimously accepted Dowling's suggestion after he said there are large financial concerns about the current consolidation plan.
Under the interlocal agreement, municipalities are asked to transfer the funds they currently spend on hosting emergency dispatch centers to a new consolidated system.
Councilman Hal Slager asked Dowling if any plans have been developed to show how Lake County communities would save money from the consolidation.
"Not really," Dowling said.
After accepting Dowling's suggestion, councilmen issued their own recommendation to the members of the county's E-911 commission, which is made up of public safety officials.
They are asking the commission to take no action until savings can be identified.
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