By Naomi Hatch Taylor Town Manager Gus Lundberg and Taylor Councilman David Smith attended the Feb. 9 meeting of the Snowflake Town Council to discuss the formation of a committee to explore permanent long-term public safety funding. Smith read a letter written by Lundberg that explained the request. The letter reads, in part, “About two years ago, our Fire District Review Committee had reported back to the council with their recommendation that we (the Town of Taylor) should enter into an IGA (intergovernmental agreement) with the Town of Snowflake for a joint fire and ambulance department. “This was a first step to provide an increased level of service to the entire community, the second step being to find a longer term solution to get appropriate funding for the department to be able to meet the needs of the growing community.” Smith noted that he voted against the agreement, but because it passed, he felt that a committee should be formed to come up with a long-term funding solution. “We also recently discussed a regional dispatch concept and were made aware of some other needs we have on the dispatching side of public safety,” the letter continues. “A consensus among the councils was that we would like to maintain our own dispatch center, but we have a need for some upgrades.” Lundberg noted that he realized that the local economy is on the “verge of significant improvement,” and “As the needs of the community grow, public safety is not the only piece of the pie,” explaining that there will be an increased demand for parks, the cemetery, building safety and other areas, as well as public safety. The Taylor Council discussed this issue Feb. 4, and approved creating a committee consisting of Smith, and Councilmen Lynn DeWitt and Carl Cosper. Smith noted that each of these men served on the Fire District Review Committee, which, after many hours of research and discussion, came up with the idea of an intergovernmental agreement uniting the Snowflake Fire Department and Taylor Fire Department/Emergency Services. He suggested that Snowflake’s committee be made up of those who had served on the previous committee. It was suggested that this committee focus specifically on looking for options to fund public safety. “I think it’s worth having a committee,” said Mayor Tom Poscharsky, who asked for volunteers. Councilmen Terril Kay, Byron Lewis, and Vice Mayor Kerry Ballard were unanimously approved to serve on the committee. Smith said that Taylor will appoint one at-large person to serve on the committee and suggested that Snowflake do the same. In other business, Max Internet Solutions, LLC requested approval of an agreement with the town to put in a second tower. Public Works Administrator Terry Cooper explained that they approved a contract at the Jan. 12 council meeting to put equipment on a tower located at Well Site No. 3 at Snowflake Heights, and this request is similar, but will be at Well Site No. 4. Max Internet Solutions will retail 4G wireless broadband services to residential and business customers. Cooper said he felt the agreement was in the best interest of both parties. It was unanimously approved.