Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve new assistant director for 911 dispatch after debate over cost and succession planning
Summary
The board approved a new assistant director position for Jackson County Central Dispatch at an estimated cost of about $117,000 including benefits after commissioners debated staffing needs, succession planning and budget timing; the motion passed 6–3.
Jackson County commissioners on Sept. 23 approved creation of a new assistant director position for Jackson County Central Dispatch, a move county administrators said is meant to provide succession planning and reduce reliance on a single senior manager.
Administrator Overton and county staff told commissioners the new position would cost approximately $117,000 including benefits and would provide a second-line manager to relieve current responsibilities concentrated on one supervisor. "Jason has done an admirable job. It's unreasonable to expect him to work 24/7," a county official said, describing the workload on the current lead administrator.
Administrators emphasized redundancy and succession as reasons for the position. "Jason is eligible for retirement next year... If he chose to retire, we would have no one that would be able to oversee 9‑1‑1," a county official said.
Commissioners raised budget and timing objections. Commissioner Baer said the board was three-quarters through the fiscal year and questioned why the county should add long-term costs midyear. "So I don't know where this is going. We don't need to do this today," Baer said, proposing instead to delay non‑essential hires until December.
Several commissioners urged caution about long-term costs until the board addresses what they called higher priorities such as roads, jail funding and crime reduction. "Until we address those core issues, I don't think we should be adding on other long term costs," Commissioner Kennedy said.
Dispatch staffing and operations facts were presented in the meeting: staff said dispatchers work four or five per shift, with about 18 to 20 total dispatchers and four supervisors; supervisors are unionized and cannot perform management functions such as IT and contract work.
The motion to approve the new full‑time assistant director position was made by Commissioner Pulaski and seconded by Commissioner Willis. A roll call produced a final tally of six in favor and three opposed; the clerk declared the motion carried 6–3.
County officials said hiring would include recruitment and typical onboarding timelines; administrators estimated the hiring process could take 60 to 90 days if not faster.
The board did not amend the staffing request during the meeting and directed staff to proceed with the approved position.
