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15 <br /> Chair McKee said he agreed with the decision to defer this discussion until the June <br /> 16th meeting. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion could be clearly <br /> explained. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said Commissioner Dorosin's suggestion is to fully fund the <br /> requests of previously funded agencies, as well as any new agencies that the Board of <br /> Commissioners determined to fund. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she had a question about non-departmentals and referred to <br /> the Upper Neuse River Basin Association (URNBA) on page 378. She said funds are being <br /> used to test water and she asked if it is expected that the cost to do this project will continually <br /> increase. <br /> David Stancil said that is yet to be determined and that there would be a maintenance <br /> level through 2019. He said his understanding is that the dues will remain at this level for the <br /> next two to three years, and then may start to come down. <br /> Chair McKee said he would not assume these dues will be reduced as the water issues <br /> are very complicated and the continued need to monitor the water quality is high. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if other counties are paying the same dues. <br /> Chair McKee said it is prorated and Wake County pays the biggest expense. <br /> Travis Myren resumed the presentation: <br /> Public Safety <br /> O Emergency Services <br /> • Upgrade OC Alerts - $6,333 <br /> o Text Opt In <br /> o Report crime tips —text to OC Alerts <br /> o Synchronization with social media <br /> o 1,904 subscribers <br /> o 386 alerts sent since 2015 <br /> • Critical Online Testing - $6,000 <br /> o Remote testing for Telecommunicator applicants <br /> o 4-5 Out of State applicants each hiring cycle <br /> • Tactical Medic Program - $10,705 <br /> o Purchase personal protective equipment <br /> o Support high risk law enforcement situations <br /> o Three trained paramedics <br /> • Equipment Replacement EMS — $33,900 <br /> o Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) <br /> o Medical Equipment <br /> Commissioner Burroughs asked if there are enough telecommunicators and if turnover <br /> is a problem. <br /> Dinah Jeffries, Interim Emergency Services Director, said there will never be enough <br /> telecommunicators. She said turnover is high nationwide due to the demands of the hours, <br /> working on weekends and holidays, as well as the demand to keep up with technology. She <br /> said the critical online testing does help in weeding out candidates who may not be best suited <br /> to the job, but the County is competing with other counties for the same candidates. <br />