Resident reports 911 call problem; council continues consideration of dispatch consolidation with county

Britney Hall told the council that when she called 911 the call initially did not connect and she had to hang up and call again; she said the experience was “very concerning” as she had a medical call for her 3-year-old. Council members and the police chief said they will investigate that specific call. The complaint arose as the council discussed a later agenda item: a resolution authorizing the safety service director to finalize an agreement to transfer police dispatching to the county.

Council members heard administrative estimates related to the proposed consolidation. Officials said the city would incur upfront costs for a new dispatch system, estimated at $412,786, plus an annual maintenance fee of $25,000. The administration presented an estimate of $61,500 for the remainder of the current year and larger amounts in the next two calendar years, with the claim that after 2027 the cost would be covered by the 911 tax levy and the city would see a net savings over 4.5 years (the administration cited a savings figure of $1,373,625.49). The administration also said two clerk positions would remain city employees for administrative and records duties; the personnel costs and benefits for those positions were shown separately in the cost breakdown.

The police chief and mayor said the county currently covers portions of night and weekend dispatching and that the city has struggled to hire dispatchers. Council members asked for clarification on administrative cost lines and staffing impacts; the police chief confirmed that two clerk positions would remain and that affected dispatchers would be eligible to apply for county jobs.

Council left the resolution on second reading for further review; the chief and administration will provide additional timeline and cost clarifications and check the specific 911 call the resident described. No final vote to transfer dispatch jurisdiction occurred at the meeting.