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County reviews E-911 budget as dispatch center asks for $150,000 to cover overtime and server upgrades
Summary
Henry County's PSAP leaders told the council the public-safety answering point needs a $150,000 overtime appropriation, software support and phased server replacement, and a recurring wireline charge tied to a radio project. Officials warned training timelines and staff shortages make overtime unavoidable.
Henry County officials reviewed the enhanced 9-1-1 (PSAP) budget and were told the dispatch center needs a $150,000 overtime appropriation next year to maintain minimum staffing and cover holiday pay. Brian (PSAP staff member) and Shannon (county budget staff) explained the increase and described related contractual and maintenance costs.
The request centers on a staffing shortfall and long training pipeline. Brian said minimum staffing has been two people but to provide efficient service the center needs three on duty; training hires take many months and “it's just impossible to not pay overtime and get where we need to be on staffing.” He told the council one approved position has been filled but remained in training after being hired in April, and attrition of trainees has been frequent.
The memo to council showed several other changes: a server loan payment and recommended phased hardware replacement that raised a maintenance line to roughly $34,000 next year for an additional node and two years of software-only support; a new recurring “wireline connection” fee tied to the radio project; and a reimbursement line reflecting a $48,006.71 Spillman cost split with the sheriff and town police. Shannon noted the PSAP’s medical insurance rose because staff count likely increased by one.
Budget staff said the liability insurance line dropped to zero after the county grouped the PSAP into the county’s overall liability policy. Brian also said he moved one salary line from the 9-1-1 fund to free up budget in the PSAP account and that some maintenance and phone charges were trimmed.
Council and budget staff discussed the fund balance and the tax that created the PSAP fund; several elected officials warned money currently earmarked for 9-1-1 could be consolidated into the general fund in 2027 and that a nonreverting fund or other mechanism might be needed to preserve those tax proceeds. Council members also noted the Baker Tilly projections showing a modest cushion this year but urged caution about multi-year sustainability.
The council did not take a formal vote during the session. Staff said they will present final appropriation options and that some items — including overtime and server replacement plans — may require additional appropriations later in the year.
Why it matters: Dispatch staffing and equipment are core to emergency response; the request signals the PSAP is operating on tight margins while carrying ongoing contractual and transition costs.
