Sponsor: Emergency Communications
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the joint powers agreement with Anoka County, Carver County, Chisago County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Isanti County, Ramsey County, Scott County, Sherburne County, Washington County, and City of Minneapolis for the operation of the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to appoint members and alternates to the Technical Operations Committee of the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board during the term of the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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The current five-year Metropolitan Emergency Services Board (MESB) joint powers agreement (JPA) expires on December 31, 2026. Emergency Communications is requesting board approval to renew a five-year joint powers agreement for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031 with the ten other members of the MESB.
The Metropolitan Emergency Services Board was created in 2005 through a merger of the Metropolitan Radio Board and the Metropolitan 911 Board, which also serves as the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services Board. The MESB satisfies Minnesota Statutes Section 403.39 <https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/403.39>, which allows multiple local government units to use joint powers agreements to build, run, and maintain shared public safety radio and communication systems. Through the MESB JPA, the ten metropolitan counties and the city of Minneapolis coordinate emergency services systems for the safety and welfare of people in the metropolitan area.
The MESB established the 9-1-1 Technical Operations Committee and the Radio Technical Operations Committee to monitor the operations of regional emergency services systems and to prepare studies, reports, and recommended actions on technical and operational issues affecting the coordinated systems for MESB consideration. Each committee requires every member of the organization to appoint one primary representative and one alternate to serve on the committees. MESB policy also requires Technical Operations Committee members to attend at least seventy-five percent of the regular committee meetings held during the calendar year.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
X Well-being __ Prosperity __ Opportunity X Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County is one of the most diverse counties in the region and this agreement with the MESB impacts all residents of Ramsey County by ensuring the county has the most current emergency services systems available. The JPA will continue to support the county’s effort to ensure the safety and welfare of all residents that reside in Ramsey County.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This board action is meant to inform the community.
X Inform __ Consult __ Involve __ Collaborate __ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Ramsey County’s current 2026 MESB assessment is $264,154, which is included in Emergency Communications 2026 operating budget. All future annual MESB assessments, once determined by the MESB board for the JPA, will be included in the department of Emergency Communications proposed biennial operation budgets.
Last Previous Action
On November 9, 2021, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the joint powers agreement for the operation of the Metropolitan Emergency Services board for the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2026 (Resolution B2021-244).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement for Metropolitan Services Board