Lamar County approves 9-1-1 staffing changes, names Francis Lewis 9-1-1 assistant

Lamar County officials voted on Nov. 10, 2025, to authorize staffing changes in the county’s emergency communications operation and to hire Francis Lewis as a 9-1-1 assistant starting the same day.

The board approved a manpower authorization for fiscal year 2026 that allows hires between meetings and maintains five full-time dispatchers at $14 an hour plus one part-time dispatcher at $13 an hour, the measure’s sponsor said. The authorization, explained during the meeting, was intended to preserve continuity of dispatch operations while management-level titles shift and personnel train new hires.

Separately, Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to permit the county’s 9-1-1 coordinator to assume duties of the county Emergency Management Agency director on a one-year trial. Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded the motion; the board approved it by voice vote.

Unidentified Speaker 1 then moved to hire Francis Lewis as the new 9-1-1 assistant, with an additional $500 per month supplement on top of regular pay and an effective start date of 11/10/2025. The motion was seconded and the board approved the hire by voice vote.

Officials discussed transitional duties and training during the change, noting that the assistant will also help train a replacement dispatcher. Board members also flagged the need for follow-up with surrounding EMA offices and staff who handled prior grant work to ensure continuity of ongoing grant and shelter projects.

The measures passed by voice vote during the meeting; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.