Titus County court authorizes negotiations with Mount Pleasant on centralized public-safety dispatch
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Summary
The commission voted unanimously to authorize the county judge and sheriff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the city of Mount Pleasant to create a centralized public-safety dispatch center intended to improve response times and information sharing among law enforcement, fire and EMS.
The Titus County Commissioner's Court voted unanimously to authorize county leaders to enter negotiations with the city of Mount Pleasant on a centralized public-safety dispatch arrangement aimed at consolidating 911 call-taking and dispatch functions.
County officials and public-safety leaders told the court that a single, shared public-safety answering point (PSAP) could reduce delays and information loss when calls are transferred among separate dispatch centers. "The good thing about having a central dispatch is information might get lost. Processing things quicker. Everybody will be in the same room," County Chief McRae said, arguing the model would speed response and coordination across agencies.
Mark Beeman, Mount Pleasant chief of police, outlined operational benefits and technical considerations, including adopting a 700-megahertz radio system to allow agencies to share channels and avoid expensive radio replacements. "When we transfer it though, it is then a dead end… And so if it's an EMS call… they no longer had control of that call," Beeman said to illustrate current risks of call transfers and the potential safety gains of consolidation.
Sean Salter, representing CHRISTUS EMS and CHRISTUS Flight for Life, said his organization — which operates a separate secondary PSAP — supports local efforts and offered to collaborate on training and emergency medical dispatch processes.
County staff noted funding and staffing challenges: a small dispatch center requires at least two people on duty and, if employees are absent, overtime costs or single-person coverage can create operational risk. The court discussed potential grant support through regional partners and interlocal arrangements to share costs.
Commissioner Parker moved, Commissioner Mitchell seconded, and the court voted unanimously to authorize the county judge and sheriff to engage in negotiations with Mount Pleasant on an interlocal dispatch agreement. The action directs staff to pursue an interlocal agreement and seek appropriate grants and staffing plans for implementation.
