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Commissioners approve two part‑time dispatch hires and hear proposal to reduce overtime
Summary
Board approved hiring Heather Edwards and Madison Hancock as part‑time dispatchers; staff proposed changing shift structure (two eights/two twelves) to cut overtime and submitted an appropriation request for $31,000 to cover anticipated overtime this year.
Fayette County commissioners approved hiring two part‑time dispatchers and discussed a proposed schedule change meant to reduce recurring overtime costs.
Speaker 4 reported the hires—Heather Edwards and Madison Hancock—are in training and one trainee is beginning to pick up shifts. "She's starting to pick up shifts on the console… she's moving into the second chair," the speaker said. Speaker 2 moved to approve the hires and the motion carried.
Speaker 4 proposed altering the full‑time shift pattern from 'tens' to a combination of two eight‑hour shifts and two 12‑hour shifts for full‑time employees while using part‑time staff as fill‑ins. The presenter said that change could cut overtime by roughly 30 hours per two weeks. Commissioners agreed to allow staff to try the new schedule and to coordinate with Hailey on procedure and handbook implications.
On budgetary matters, Speaker 4 said an appropriation request for $31,000 had been submitted to cover overtime for the rest of the year, noting last year’s overtime totaled around $50,000 and only $17,000 had been budgeted so far this year.
Next steps: staff will continue training the new hires, implement the trial schedule while monitoring overtime, and proceed with the appropriation request to the county council as needed.
