[Vision2020] UI Eyes Addition to Security Contract

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (August 11, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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UI eyes addition to security contract
If accepted, total cost of contracts would be $280,000 more than last year
By Holly Bowen Daily News staff writer


The University of Idaho will seek approval this week for a proposed
security services contract with the privately owned AlliedBarton company
to supplement a proposed policing services contract with the Moscow Police
Department.

The UI will present both proposed agreements to the Idaho State Board of
Education on Thursday at the board’s regular meeting at Idaho State
University in Pocatello. If the board approves the contracts as presented,
they would take effect Oct. 1 and expire June 30, 2014, with options for
renewals through 2020.

Moscow police have operated on the UI campus since 1966, but the
university called for bids last fall for its security services contract.
Six private security companies responded, in addition to the city of
Moscow. UI and city officials confirmed in July they had reached a
tentative agreement for the MPD to continue to police the campus. However,
City Supervisor Gary Riedner said at that time the UI had expressed a
desire to reduce the amount of general security services provided by the
MPD in an effort to save money.

Those general services, such as residence hall and building patrols,
lock-out assistance and safety escorts, would likely be handled by
AlliedBarton security officers, if the board of education approves the
contract.

Under the terms of the proposed new contract with the city, the UI would
pay $937,717.78 per year for MPD services on campus. The proposed contract
with AlliedBarton would cost the UI an additional $317,157 per year. The
university would also pay $101.54 per month toward each private security
officer’s medical benefits.

The combined cost of both contracts is about $280,000 more than the UI
paid the city for policing services during the past fiscal year.

The UI was “not making anyone available” for comment about the proposed
contracts until after Thursday’s board meeting, university spokeswoman
Karen Hunt said Tuesday. Riedner also did not respond to a request for
comment on Tuesday.

Moscow Assistant Police Chief David Duke said he learned about the UI’s
proposed contract with AlliedBarton on Monday. He said the police
department is waiting to see the finalized contract before it decides how
exactly it will partner with the security company and delineate
responsibilities on campus.

Idaho State Board of Education paperwork regarding the proposed
AlliedBarton contract states the agreement is in “the interest of public
safety and protection of the University’s capital assets” and that the UI
would “utilize a hybrid public safety strategy that deploys city police
officers supplemented with private security personnel.”

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So . . .

In tough economic times, when the University of Idaho makes a cut here and
a cut there, UI wants to contract additional privatized security resulting
in additional funds at the tune of $280,000 per year AND provide health
care to each member of that private security force.

This is NOT an example of responsible financial management.  It's more
like . . .

"Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball"
http://www.TomandRodna.com/Songs/Freakers_Ball.mp3

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown