TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) – Pay up, or see you in court. That’s the message from Vigo County to the city of Terre Haute. At issue is money the county says the city owes for central dispatch.
In 2007, Vigo County and the city entered into what’s called an interlocal agreement. This put all public safety dispatch services under one roof, improving communications and coordination among agencies. In return, the city was to pay the county in two installments.
“We’re happy to work with the county. We’ll pay the bill that we are owed, but we want to make sure we’re on good, solid legal ground, too,” said Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett.
So what does Mayor Bennett mean by that?
You’ll recall last may when the city brought up the issue of double taxation in regards to 911 services. Phone fees pay most of the bills in dispatch. But it also gets money from the city and county.
DOCUMENT | Vigo Central Dispatch agreement, letter
“So if you live in the city, you’re paying city taxes for 911 service, and you’re paying county taxes for 911 service, and you can’t do that,” the Mayor said.
To settle the issue, the state got involved and Mayor Bennett says he’s been waiting on an opinion from the Department of Local Government and Finance. Next year, the city will lower its levy by the amount of the agreement, while the county increases by the same. That way, dispatch services are still covered.
“We want to be a part of the county dispatch,” the Mayor said. “We want it to be done right and we want them to continue to do that on our behalf, but we need to make sure that it’s done correctly.”
Meanwhile, the DLGF says the city must pay its portion of the agreement this year. The county wants its check by May 15th, or they’ll take the city to court.