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Dispatch budget: city says 45 dispatchers, state 911 grant offsets personnel costs
Summary
Springfield officials told the City Council the dispatch budget funds 55 FTEs (45 dispatchers), remains largely grant‑supported through the state 911 commission and is fully staffed with one current vacancy; councilors asked about a grant offset and fleet consolidation.
The city’s Emergency Communications (dispatch) budget for fiscal 2026 was presented as $2,000,500 and described as funding 55 full‑time equivalents, including 45 public-safety dispatchers, four operations supervisors and six administrative staff.
"On most of this budget will be offset by our, development grant from the state 9 1 1," Commissioner Kelly told the council. Councilors noted the budget shows a decrease in personal services tied to a grant offset and a 3 percent OTPS reduction. When asked to clarify, Commissioner Kelly said the state 911 commission developmental grant helps offset salary costs.
Councilor Maria Perez asked whether the department had the proper number of dispatchers to cover the city; the commissioner replied, "Yeah. Yes. We're fully staffed. We do have the adequate number of dispatchers to cover." Councilor Govan later probed about a single vacancy; the department said there is one vacancy and that new classes are run when enough openings accumulate so recruits can be trained together.
The dispatch budget also contains funding for Guardian tracking software, CritiCall, continuing professional development and an outreach and retention program. Councilors questioned whether grant timing or amounts could change; the department said it is managing with current grant guidance but that grants are important to the personnel picture.
Separately, councilors connected the dispatch fleet discussion to a broader initiative to consolidate city vehicle procurement. The commissioner said staff are compiling a citywide list but that police and fire will still make department-level decisions on major apparatus.
No formal votes occurred on the dispatch budget at the May 19 hearing.
