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Kennett Council votes to consolidate local dispatch with county 911, moves funds to police budget
Summary
The Kennett City Council voted to consolidate the city's dispatch operations with the county 911 service and shift most dispatch funding into the Kennett Police Department budget. Council members debated job impacts, public access to the police station and contract terms before approving the measure.
The Kennett City Council voted to consolidate the city's local dispatch center with the county 911 service and transfer most dispatch funding into the Kennett Police Department budget.
Council members said the move will reduce the city's responsibilities for equipment replacement and allow money earmarked for dispatch operations to be used instead for police staffing and operations. Council discussion focused on job impacts for current dispatch staff, how after-hours public access to the police station will be handled and contract termination terms.
Councilmember (unnamed), who introduced the motion, said the proposal would "consolidate the tenant dispatch with the 911 and [move] money from the dispatch budget to be consolidated with the police department budget." The council approved the motion after discussion and questions from multiple members. The council directed that one local dispatcher remain at the police station to receive in-person visitors and overnight foot traffic; the county would take the other dispatch positions under the consolidation.
Chief (unnamed) said existing dispatch equipment would remain in place so the city could operate locally if the county 911 site experienced an outage. "The equipment will stay here," the chief said, and the county would take responsibility for replacement costs going forward.
Council members pressed for details on timing, costs and governance. Missus Thompson asked whether the contract required full payment up front; staff replied the payment would be made monthly. Councilmember (unnamed) asked whether Kennett representatives would sit on the 911 board; staff said the city would be represented on the board, with Chief Wilson joining as a board member and Chief Lance continuing on the board.
Council debate also covered public access and safety. Some members said the police station has long been a place residents go for help and expressed concern about locking the inner door; others said a dispatcher on site and a camera/call box would provide a direct line to 911.
The council approved the consolidation motion. Staff estimated the transfer and account changes could be completed in roughly six weeks and said the contract includes a 60-day termination provision if either party is dissatisfied.
Implementation details to be worked out include a job description for the retained local dispatcher, the schedule for the on-site position, the camera/call-box arrangement for after-hours visitors, and the monthly payment schedule for the contract.
