Committee reviews 911 staffing, dispatcher recruitment, body-scanner warranties and investing public-safety funds

Sheriff’s Office and emergency-communications matters were a major part of the Finance Committee meeting June 30, as county officials discussed dispatcher staffing shortages, a proposed assistant/coordinator position for the 9-1-1 center, warranty options for courthouse security machines, and a recommendation to invest a portion of public-safety funds for higher short-term yield.

Sheriff Eric Raymond reviewed the department’s FY2026 budget presentation and said salary and benefits remain the primary budget driver pending labor negotiations. He said the department is continuing recruitment for dispatchers after a round of applicants produced few hires: “Called back 10, 5 didn't call me back. 3 no showed. It's extraordinarily frustrating.” Raymond said he has reposted the position and is receiving referrals from local fire chiefs.

Raymond described two warranty options for security equipment after recent body-scanner and baggage-scanner service issues. He said one vendor offered a full warranty for roughly $10,000 and another quoted $7,500 for labor-only (no parts); a different vendor offered a two-year maintenance package covering both machines for about $9,000. Raymond said the county could pay part of that cost from jail fees and part from courthouse funds and recommended the two-year option that covers both machines, citing vendor responsiveness.

On emergency-communications staffing, Raymond and others discussed adding an assistant/coordinator funded through ETSB fees to assist with 9-1-1 center management and potentially relieve some dispatch duties. Raymond said the ETSB position would be funded from the ETSB budget rather than the county’s general fund.

County Treasurer Kurt reported he had researched short-term investment options for public-safety funds and found local banks offering roughly 4.4% APY for six-month certificates of deposit; he proposed investing up to $300,000–$500,000 of the public-safety balance to increase yield, noting the account currently holds about $895,000. He said the proposal would be evaluated after six months and could be adjusted.

No formal hiring decisions or purchases were authorized at the committee meeting; Raymond said recommendations on warranties and staffing would be brought forward for committee or board action as needed. The committee discussed using jail fees to fund part of a scanner warranty and asked the sheriff’s office to provide cost details and return with a formal request if the county should approve an expenditure.