MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION COUNTYCOMMISSIONERS ADMINISTRATION JERRY L. CARL, PRESIDENT GLENN L. HODGE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MERCERIA LUDGOOD. COMMISSIONER CONNIE HUDSON. COMMISSIONER TELEPHONE (251) 574-5073 TELEPHONE (251) 574-5077 FAX (251) 574-5080 December 30, 2019 Dear Council President Manzie: Please accept this communication as a request that proposed City Ordinance 02-045, Ordinance to terminate all City services within the Police Jurisdiction; to repeal certain business license taxes and to provide for an orderly transition sponsored by Councilman Joel Daves on the December 31, 2019 Mobile City Council agenda be tabled until the City can present factual information to prove that the action is in the best interest of the City of Mobile. According to financial information researched and compiled by the Mobile County Finance Department, there would be very minimal or no cost savings realistically generated by withdrawing the Police Jurisdiction to the corporate limits of Mobile. According to the Alabama Department of Public Examiners, the City currently receives $12.2 million in total extraterritorial revenue. The City?s cost of services (info provided by the City: totaling $26.6 million) appears unrealistically inflated. The cost includes increased percentages charged in City departments and also outside agencies, i.e. the Mayor?s office, City Council offices, the Personnel Board, the Mobile County Health Department and others that will not experience a cost reduction unless across-the-board personnel reductions are implemented. According to Mobile County Finance Director Dana Foster-Allen and Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, a true measure of the City?s cost would be calculated by using the number of service calls to the Police Jurisdiction. Ms. Foster-Allen is compiling information from the Sheriff's Department and the Mobile County Communications District to support her understanding that the revenue received by the City from the Police Jurisdiction actually offsets the cost of services provided. Aside from the financial issue, I believe important questions for the City?s leadership to consider and also answer include: What is the long?term strategic urban plan for the City? Does it involve growth in the unincorporated areas? is this proposed action part of the overall urban planning effort or is it a knee jerk reaction without having all facts properly vetted? For the better part of the past two decades, the population in the City of Mobile has been declining. Is that acceptable and a consideration in reducing the Police Jurisdiction? Short-term decisions can potentially undermine the long-term needs and objectives of the City of Mobile. Thank you for your attention to this extremely important matter and your consideration of this request to table action on this pending ordinance until you are fully assured that all pertinent facts have been fully studied and presented. Connie Hudson Commissioner, Mobile County Commission District 2 Best Regards, 205 Government Street - Mobile,A abama 36644 - Post Office Box L443 - Mobile,Alabama 36633