Approve Contract Agreement 2016-063 between the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office in the amount of $1,000,000 from DPS for the construction of the Cochise County Regional Communications Center effective August 30, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

In 2005, Cochise County and the City of Sierra Vista initiated a feasibility study into building a regional communications (dispatch) center for public safety first responders in Cochise County.  RCC Consultants, Inc. was the company contracted to complete the study.  Employees from Cochise County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) provided pertinent information for the study.  Due to cost factors, the study went through two design revisions and a review of two existing facilities.  The two existing buildings examined by RCC were deemed unsuitable for development of a regional communications center. The final design plan included only those spaces considered necessary to build a regional dispatch center at an estimated cost factor of three million dollars ($3,000,000).  Due to no funds being available to build the regional center, the project has been in a dormant state for many years.  During the last three years, CCSO and SVPD staff renewed their efforts to energize the project.  In November 2015, due to those efforts, Governor Ducey provided Cochise County with one million dollars ($1,000,000) to build a regional dispatch center.  Various building sites were reviewed; however, a suitable commercial building was located in Sierra Vista that could be renovated into a regional center.  The commercial building was purchased by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (Foundation) and donated to Cochise County to develop the regional dispatch center.     
     
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and CCSO will enter into the attached Agreement (See DPS063 in Attachments) for disbursement of the Governor's fund.   The agreement is to enhance law enforcement services in Cochise County and surrounding areas by providing funding to assist in the building of a regional dispatch center. This regional dispatch center will provide both data and radio services and ultimately allow for all public safety agencies within Cochise County, including DPS to be dispatched out of the same facility.  Through this agreement, DPS agrees to provide CCSO a total amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to build the regional dispatch center.  In consideration of funds provided by DPS, CCSO shall provide space and equipment within the completed regional dispatch center for a DPS employee to perform dispatch services for DPS.  In lieu of space and equipment for a DPS dispatcher, CCSO agrees to provide dispatch services to DPS for a period of five (5) years from the date that the center is operational.  CCSO agrees to use the funding provided by DPS for the purposes to include: architect fees, building contractor fees, engineering fees (electrical, mechanical, etc.), permits and inspection fees, construction costs for a free standing building, movement and installation of existing E911 equipment, moving and installation of existing radio equipment, moving and installation of existing servers, and for the installation of new radio consoles and office furniture.  It is estimated that 1.321 million ($1,321,000) dollars can be charged against the funding being provided by DPS for the regional dispatch center (see projected DPS expenditures in the SEACOM Budget in Attachments).   The one million ($1,000,000) shall be transferred within thirty (30) days of execution of this Agreement.  DPS is not obligated to fund the full cost of the regional communications center as these funds are intended solely as a supplement to a mutli-phase project.  The Foundation and the City of Sierra Vista have committed to provide the rest of the funds necessary to complete the regional dispatch center. The total estimated cost for building the regional dispatch center is 2.875 million ($2,875,000) dollars of which 1.8 million ($1,8000,000) dollars will be provided by the Foundation.  
 
DPS is authorized and empowered to enter into this agreement pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1713(B)(3).  Both parties are authorized and empowered to enter into this agreement pursuant to A.R.S. 11-952.  CCSO agrees to provide to DPS by the 15th day of each month after execution of this agreement a report of the previous month's progress on the regional dispatch center.  This report shall also include any expenditure of funds in relation to fees outlined in this agreement. 

On August 17, 2016, Deputy Cochise County Attorney Lauri Owens reviewed and approved this agreement .  This Agreement is identified as DPS Contract Number 2016-063.

On September 8, 2016, Cochise County Finance Director Lynette Nowlan completed her review and approved this agreement.  Director Nowlan sees no issues with the DPS expenditures being charged against items identified in the attached SEACOM budget. 

If this agreement is approved, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office will coordinated building efforts with the Cochise County Facilities Department.  

Not approving this agreement would result in a lost of funds to complete the regional dispatch center.

If approved, a copy needs to be returned to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Attn: Anni F. Foster, Executive Officer, 2102 West Encanto Blvd. P.O. Box 6638, Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6638 for the processing of funds allocated in this agreement.