Council approves 9-1-1 fee amendment to boost dispatcher pay and staffing

Providence City Council approved an amendment to the countywide emergency communications (9-1-1) fee that will raise the dispatch fund's monthly per-household amount to support higher dispatcher wages and staffing.

Christie Walker, Cache County's 9-1-1 director, told the council the center is funded by fees on landline and cellular bills and that it is currently funded for 20 full-time positions but employs 14 full-time dispatchers with one in training. Walker said the center had not adjusted the per-household fee in 23 years and that the proposal would add 30 cents per month starting July 1 (a 10% increase on the current $3 fee), followed by 3% annual increases for four consecutive years, for an estimated cumulative increase of about 71 cents per month by the end of the schedule.

Walker said the primary use of the proposed increase would be to raise wages (her office cited nearby starting wages of $27.50, $26 and $25 in neighboring counties versus the dispatch center's current starting wage of $22.85) and to staff the center to a recommended level. She said the dispatch fund also carries a restricted reserve of about $3 million intended to sustain the center for an extended disruption or to support a standalone dispatch facility.

Councilmembers discussed timing and the county's outreach; staff and council members noted the fee is collected from households and passed through to the county. After discussion the council approved the amendment by voice vote. The transcript records "Aye" and "Motion carries"; no roll-call tally is recorded.

Councilmembers and city staff asked the 9-1-1 director to provide tours and additional data on response and local call volumes; Walker invited council members to visit the dispatch center and supplied contact information for scheduling a tour.