County proposes combined emergency operations director to save $41,000

Council members heard a proposal to combine the two department head salaries for central dispatch and the Emergency Management Agency into a single director position, to be titled Emergency Operations Director. Renee, who currently oversees both areas in practice, said the change is intended to produce “a savings…$41,000” by consolidating responsibilities and aligning the director’s pay with peer public safety directors.

Presenters said the combined director position would oversee both budgets while the dispatch and EMA departments would likely remain separately funded because of interlocal and grant funding differences. The new job description will go to the personnel committee for review; staff said it includes additional EMA duties and that the county is not the first in the state to adopt this structure.

Staff estimated combined compensation for the director and deputy roles would be roughly two‑thirds of comparable positions in larger counties and said the move keeps county public-safety director salaries relatively consistent across departments. Council members were told the change will not alter EMA reimbursement mechanics: the EMPG grant and the city match remain in place, and the city continues to match state EMPG reimbursements for positions included in the grant.

Renee said the position description is being finalized and will be presented to the committee soon. The council asked staff to return with the proposed job description and confirmed that separate departmental budgets will likely continue so funding and interlocal agreements remain clear.