The Williams County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 authorized the chairman to sign a resolution and complete forms to allow county dispatchers to enroll in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) public safety plan.

County staff explained that a legislative change during the most recent session permits dispatchers to be enrolled in the public safety plan rather than the PERS main plan. Helen, county staff, said the plan allows earlier retirement eligibility for covered dispatchers and told the board that the transition date is expected to be August 1. "The change is our dispatchers will be able to be in the public safety plan instead of the main plan. And they'll transfer I think August 1 is the date in which we can make that change," she said.

The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution and the PERS form by roll call; recorded votes were Mary, Steve, Corey, Beau, Chris and Barry voting yes.

What happens next: county staff will file the resolution and the PERS form with the retirement system to implement the change for eligible dispatcher positions.