8/2/2019 Public Comments during the Linn County EMA Commission's
Public Hearing on the Annual Budget - February 2012
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Linn County EMA Commission MeetingFebruary 2012, Public Hearing,
Budget
Submitted by: Richard Struve Jr, citizen
Upon reviewing the annual budget as prepared by Finance and
Budget, there is an organizationalchart on page 10, which clearly
shows that, the citizens of Linn County are the party that all
ofthe subsequent agencies and departments are accountable to. This
public hearing, and its input,should be weighed on that concept
being in mind.
In Januarys EMA Commission meeting, the Director mentioned the
purchase of an SUV foraround $36,000. And one of the justifications
to have this was for towing. In December 2011smeeting, there was
effort to explain and shine the contributions of the HAZMAT Team,
andwithin that came the efforts of towing trailers and other needed
items. The justification ofcapital purchases is being re-used, and
would bring a conclusion that any more than onejustification for
something would be a false statement. And as mentioned in January
2012smeeting, placing false information on public record is a
felony under 721.1 of the Iowa code. Thisdoes open the door for
further review. A justification for something can not be used one
month,then used again later to justify the same effort.
More recently the County Auditor explained the IRS rule on
non-essential vehicles, and the factthat these vehicles deemed
non-essential are not authorized to be taken home without a
chargebeing applied. The fact that the IRS, and the agencys role,
is not that of a first response typeservice should dictate that the
vehicles are not taken home at all. As a tax payer, it is not
onlyunethical, improper, and a huge expense, but in these times of
cost savings and huge governmentdebt. Efforts should be made to
refrain from non-essential costs. And having the tax payerbasically
lease fully gassed vehicles to government employees should not be
enabled, for anyagency. The wear and tear, in addition to the gas,
are costs that the employee should cover, not atax payer, or in
this case, the entity at the top of the organizational structure.
The tax payers arebasically the stockholders here, and do have a
voice.
A consideration for two mid sized cars, minimal marking, no
lights or radios, should beconsidered in place of a gas guzzling
SUV. The efficient cars would be a better fit for the
dailyoperations given the new radio system (use of handhelds) and
no lights given the agency is not aprimary first response agency. A
$50 dash light could also be used for added marking. The olderstaff
cars, including the current SUV, could be held for when those needs
could arise. Typically, a10-15 minute delay, or even 30 minutes, in
the arrival of EMA staff is not going to change thesituation. Also,
given a higher than average number of staff, volunteers in the
area, HAZMATsupport and its SUV, along with the Sheriffs
dispatcher, most situations are covered.
An aspect of Emergency Management is prepare. During the flood
of 2008, a database wasmade of people calling in, volunteering
their resources, including trucks. Many of the agencysvolunteers
also have SUVs and trucks and can tow in time of need. Furthermore,
most cities have
utility vehicles which can tow an item, in which they need,
instead of EMA executing that task ormaintaining a vehicle to do
that, when it is rarely needed. Or, as a last resort, rent one for
a shortperiod. The ICS training that was done a few years back also
alluded that, EMA is more of acoordination entity, and not one that
is doing the actual work. This would also further explainwhy the
state went to the head title of coordinator for that position,
though Linn County haselected to deviate from that standard.
8/2/2019 Public Comments during the Linn County EMA Commission's
Public Hearing on the Annual Budget - February 2012
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Recently when the salaries of some county officials were
reported including the justification forthem. It was revealed that
a comparison theme was done with other agencies in the state.
Usingthat same justification technique, and looking at the
resourcefulness of other EMA operations,one could claim that Linn
County is resource rich, which lessens the justification for
elaboratevehicles to execute daily functions. And given a good
majority of the county is made up of
incorporated areas, it further lessens the need for SUV type
vehicles. Most people that areemployed decide whether or not they
need their own SUV type vehicle to drive to work, based onwhere
they live, and, the importance of them getting to work in adverse
situations.It is up to thestaff to decide where they live, and what
they drive to maintain employment, not the tax payer.
Again looking at other agencies and how resourceful they are, we
can look at the HAZMATTeam again, and mirror the efforts of the
volunteer base as other agencies have done. Some haveutilized
Amateur Radio clubs, which would be a perfect group to go out and
check weather radiosand alert systems. Given the radio group is
affiliated with the agency, this would be a good fit,and
considering the group is also used as a key severe weather
reporting entity, which isempowered and entrusted to call in
reports which can cause the entire community to shut down,costing
millions of dollars. I think the simple task of checking a battery
in a radio would be
within their scope.
Another resource which could be used is the CERT members (which
are utilized in othercounties) that were trained by EMA staff.
Funding to train these individuals was done bydiverting funds
initially requested by another proven, organized, and lifesaving
CERT group inthe area. So it would make sense to use the efforts of
these individuals so that the divertedfunding that was not provided
to the lifesaving group does not go wasted. This recent CERTgroup
is yet another volunteer source which can be utilized as in other
counties across the state.Knowing that there are union concerns,
some of the activities would not encroach on in-officestaff duties.
It would mirror duties that have already been deemed acceptable,
like on theHAZMAT Team, doing towing and other tasks, and not
conflicting with union parameters.
In conclusion, in the interest of submitting an approved budget
given the timeline. I would askthat my input, acting as a citizen
at the top of the organizational structure, be strongly
consideredin this meeting, so they do not have to be duplicated at
the County Board meeting. With potentialcost cutting measures on
the horizon, as indicated by KCRG below, it is crucial that the
costsaving measures be adopted as a parameter of the budget.In
addition to a timeline being put inplace for those actions being
completed and accountability for its completion. The need to
savorresources, like vehicles, becomes more imperative when
financial uncertainty looms. They needto be reserved for business,
not transportation to and from work. And efficiencies within the
worksetting be reviewed, and allow other resources to be utilized
where they can, which also fallswithin the scope and directives of
the Iowa Code and the role of EMA.
Rich Struve Jr.
Cedar Rapids, Ia, Linn County.
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts-139689093.html
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts-139689093.htmlhttp://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts-139689093.htmlhttp://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts-139689093.htmlhttp://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Poll-Suggests-Support-for-Property-Tax-Cuts-139689093.html
