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County to form PSAP fact‑finding task force to study dispatch consolidation
Summary
The commission endorsed creating a fact‑finding task force to study primary public‑safety answering point consolidation, with membership proposed to include the sheriff, police and fire chiefs, public safety director and a school district designee and a 60–90 day fact‑finding timeline.
County Administrator Flores presented a recommended task force May 13 to study the potential consolidation of 911/public‑safety answering point operations. The proposal frames the body as a fact‑finding committee to gather data on response times and fiscal impacts rather than as a commitment to consolidate.
Flores said proposed members include the Charlotte County Sheriff, the Punta Gorda Police Chief, fire chiefs, the public safety director and a school superintendent designee, along with subject matter experts as needed. The stated purpose is to collect information, analyze response times and identify financial implications if consolidation were considered.
Commissioners recommended a near‑term timeline and continuing stakeholder user group after fact‑finding so all agencies retain a voice. Several commissioners asked for dispute resolution models and noted chapter 164 of the Florida Statutes (interlocal dispute procedures) as an example framework for addressing multi‑jurisdictional governance and disagreements.
The task force was described as a standing stakeholder convening if the board elects to continue oversight after the initial fact‑finding period. The item was presented as a path to produce a data‑driven recommendation back to the board rather than an immediate policy change.
