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In previous state budgets, the Legislature <br />turned to revenue sources upon which cities <br />depend to cover costs to purchase and <br />operate new communications technology <br />and hardware for computer-aided dispatch, <br />911 public safety answering points (PSAPs), <br />and interoperable radio communications <br />equipment and subsystems in order to <br />finance the build -out of the state backbone <br />for the new system. As a result, fees were <br />directed to fund revenue bond debt service <br />used to complete the statewide build -out of <br />the Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency <br />Response (ARMER) and the cost of <br />operations of the state public safety radio <br />communications backbone. <br />At the federal level, the Federal <br />Communications Commission (FCC) has <br />ordered reservation of 700 MHz wireless <br />spectrum for a national interoperable <br />broadband network to meet public safety <br />communications needs. But no successful <br />proposal for development of such public <br />safety uses has yet been forthcoming. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports continued and increased <br />state financing of substantial local costs to <br />participate in ARMER, including the <br />acquisition and modernization of <br />subscriber equipment, such as portable <br />and mobile radios required for ARMER <br />users. The League also opposes efforts to <br />divert dedicated ARMER funds to the <br />state's general fund. The Legislature <br />should fund regional cooperation and <br />partnerships for effective delivery of 911 <br />service, training and use of ARMER. <br />The League also urges the FCC to <br />continue to support availability of <br />wireless spectrum necessary to expand <br />channel capacity that allows local public <br />safety agencies to meet future needs of <br />cities and other local units of government. <br />SD -33. CriMNet <br />Issue: Public safety is compromised by the <br />lack of centralized, complete, and accurate <br />criminal history data about individuals, <br />incidents, and cases. Without an integrated <br />criminal justice information system, <br />Minnesota cannot always hold serious <br />criminals accountable for their crimes. <br />CriMNet, Minnesota's effort to integrate the <br />1,100 criminal justice information systems <br />operated by agencies at all levels, will <br />improve access to relevant criminal history <br />data for public safety and criminal justice <br />authorities. <br />City officials are well aware of the complex <br />issues raised by the utilization of electronic <br />record keeping, data sharing, and access to <br />records that identify data subjects. The <br />League of Minnesota Cities recognizes that <br />one of the challenges in making CriMNet <br />operational is meeting the requirements of <br />the Minnesota Government Data Practices <br />Act (MGDPA). <br />More than 500 cities operate police <br />departments. These departments vary <br />dramatically in fiscal capacity, staffing <br />resources, and technical expertise. Further, <br />each municipal law enforcement agency has <br />unique operating procedures, strengths, and <br />needs based on the community it serves. The <br />League knows CriMNet will have a <br />significant impact on municipal police <br />business practices, and could mean <br />increased staffing needs, training, and <br />equipment purchases. The League also <br />recognizes that every agency must <br />participate fully in CriMNet to make the <br />system effective. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports efforts by the state to <br />integrate criminal justice information <br />systems. The League also supports <br />cooperation between legislators, law <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2016 City Policies Page 21 <br />