Palmer’s council cuts off talks with Wasilla on emergency services sharing

Palmer’s city council continues its squabbling over possible changes for the city’s emergency services.

Interim city manager John Diumenti told the council last Tuesday, Nov. 26 that he and police chief Dwayne Shelton had met with Wasilla officials to discuss ways the two communities can work together to improve service and possibly save money with emergency service calls.

That didn’t go over well with some on the city council.

Wasilla had called and suggested the meeting, Mayor Steve Carrington said. Wasilla has been looking at upgrades in technology that could be expensive, which prompted the idea of sharing services with Palmer.

The city of Wasilla’s police department operates its Mat-Com Dispatch emergency response center and Palmer’s police department operates a similar center for Palmer.

Victoria Hudson, a first-term member of Palmer council, asked Diumenti why the meeting was held without the council being informed and giving its blessing. Diumenti said the meeting was just to share ideas.

Hudson wanted to know who was at the meeting. Attending were Wasilla’s mayor, city administrator and several people from Mat-Corm, Diumenti said. He and Chief Shelton represented Palmer along with one the dispatchers from Palmer’s emergency center.

Diumenti said he didn’t think a meeting just to share ideas was such a big deal. Palmer has a long-standing relationship with Wasilla on fire services. “We meet with them regularly,” he said. The idea of meeting to discuss sharing emergency services didn’t seem outlandish.

Hudson asked what was discussed in terms of finances. Diumenti said some dollar figures were discussed but the information was given under confidentiality so he couldn’t share the figures.

Hudson asked again what the dollars were. Diumenti said again he wasn’t at liberty to share the estimates.

Discussion continued but the end result was a directive from the council to cut off further discussions with Wasilla until Palmer hires a new city manager. The city must also hire a human resources manager, too.

Palmer council member John Alcantra first suggested holding off on further discussions until Palmer finished work on its 2025 budget, but in the end the council asked for all contact to cease until a new manager is on board.

The potential for collaboration with Wasilla has become a sore point within the council. Former city manager Stephen Jellie had suggested it, also after Wasilla had first proposed it, and the idea helped trigger the move within the council to oust Jellie, who resigned amid the uproar.

In other developments, the council held the required public hearings on the city’s 2025 budget and approved it after making some amendments. The budget will total $21.5 million in total expenditures including funds for government operations and the city’s enterprise funds, which include water and sewer services, Palmer’s airport and the city golf course.

The 3% sales tax and three-mil property tax were retained with no changes. The city’s schedule for fees and fines for 2925 were also approved.

On a more upbeat note, Diumenti asked the council to recognize the 25 years of service to the community by police chief Shelton. Recognition was also given to Commander Shane LaCroix, also the Palmer police, for 22 years of service.

“Combined, we have almost 50 years of law enforcement experience in the leadership of Palmer’s police,” Diumenti told the council.