Agenda Item Request:
title
Authorization for the County Manager to enter into a Communications Services contract between Cumberland County CCRCC and the University of Southern Maine for dispatching services in the exchange for discounted tuition for 3 years starting August 1, 2024.
body
Background and Purpose of Request:
Requestor: James Gailey, County Manager
The University of Southern Maine (USM) Police Chief Perkins approached Communications Director Melinda Fairbrother-Dyer to inquire what it would take for the CCRCC take over dispatching for the USM Police Department. This was a unique request as they are not a town, which the County’s dispatching model is based off from. Through a number of months of dialog and exploration, both sides feel that a relationship is possible.
USM will have to modify some of their infrastructure to make the move to the CCRCC. In order to do this, Melinda has helped Chief Perkins submit a grant to cover the cost of the infrastructure needs.
USM, being a public university, doesn’t have the discretionary funds to pay for service on the same model as the CCRCC’s member towns. Staff have worked with USM to devise payment in lieu of an annual fee. USM has agreed to cover 100% tuition for County employees and 50% tuition for family members who receive more than 50% living expanses covered by employee and who are under 26 years of age. An employee would need to be with the County for three years to receive the family benefit. This model is unique, but County staff feel this would support staff seeking further education and would be a great hiring and retainage tool for the County.
Presentation: No
Funding Amount and Source: N/A
Effective Date if Applicable:
August 1, 2024