The Owen County 9-1-1 advisory board recommended Ashley Johnson for the county’s 9-1-1 director position, and the Board of Commissioners voted to accept the recommendation after hearing advisory-board testimony and comments from dispatch staff.

Melissa Eaglin, a senior dispatcher, told the commissioners the center needs stable leadership and urged them to consider someone with experience on the console who knows the county. Eaglin described the director’s duties as extending beyond administrative tasks to include 24/7 operational leadership in major incidents, staffing shortages and severe weather.

Commissioners said the advisory board — made up of first‑responder representatives — conducted the interviews and recommended Johnson. One commissioner abstained from the final vote, citing late notice of the candidate packet; the other two voted to appoint Johnson. The commission placed the hire on probation and asked the advisory board and dispatch staff to provide feedback in coming months.

Separately, the commission approved a multi‑year technical-services agreement and an equipment/software upgrade from the county’s existing vendor to replace end‑of‑life components in the dispatch console and to secure a multi‑year support contract. The board approved payment from the 9‑1‑1 fund; the approved package included a prepaid technical‑services agreement and software/hardware upgrades. Staff said the long‑term deal reduced the county’s cost compared with a year‑by‑year approach and that the funding was already included in the dispatch budget.

President Hobbs said the advisory board had the expertise to vet candidates and that commissioners should accept the board’s recommendation. Commissioner Paul (last name not provided) said he supported the advisory board’s recommendation but abstained from the vote because he received the candidate materials late.

Ending: The county will begin formal paperwork to hire Johnson and implement the agreed technical upgrades; commissioners asked the advisory board and dispatch staff to monitor the director’s transition and report any operational issues back to the commission.