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Washington County council approves two part‑time dispatcher positions to address staffing gaps
Summary
The Washington County Council voted March 2 to amend the salary ordinance to create two part‑time dispatcher positions after hearing from dispatch head Kelly about turnover and multiple employees still in training; councilors agreed the change is a temporary stopgap while recruitment and training continue.
Washington County Council on March 2 approved an amendment to the county salary ordinance to add two part‑time dispatcher positions, a measure councilors said will help cover staffing shortages and training gaps in the dispatch office.
Kelly, the county dispatch administrator, told the council that several dispatchers are currently in training and that the office has lost seasoned staff to higher pay and other careers. "This is probably gonna be the best way that we get to move forward right now," Kelly said, framing two part‑time roles as a temporary stopgap to provide on‑call coverage and reduce gaps in shift staffing.
Kelly outlined the office's immediate staffing picture: two employees had been in training and another had just completed training, one more was midway through initial training and a new dispatcher started the same day as the meeting. The administrator said one long‑tenured dispatcher had left to pursue nursing, and that retaining staff has been difficult in the current labor market.
Following Kelly's presentation, Council member Andrew moved to approve the ordinance amendment. Council member Karen seconded the motion; Chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed.
The council did not set an exact implementation timetable during the meeting. Councilors said scheduling part‑time staff will be a challenge while onboarding multiple trainees but described the step as a pragmatic response to immediate coverage needs. The council also discussed broader salary‑ordinance issues to be revisited during next year's budget process.
Next steps: the approved amendment will be implemented by county human resources and the auditor's office, which the council asked to coordinate with dispatch leadership on scheduling and pay‑period administration.
