Hamilton County communications staff warn of critical dispatcher shortage and low pay

Hamilton County’s Communications Department told the commissioners March 10 that the county’s emergency dispatch center is facing a severe staffing shortage and pay-related turnover that officials say is undermining operations.

Communications representative Lacy Alexander reported February call-volume increases — 1,680 calls for service in February compared with 1,395 in January — and said the department received 2,910 total incoming calls during the month, including 277 911 calls answered within the defined four-second window. "Staffing is at a critical state," Alexander said, adding that the department has a roughly 70% turnover rate. She reported dispatchers in Hamilton County earn about $18.29 per hour, which the transcript states is 26.6% below the regional average. Alexander said newly hired and trained dispatchers are leaving for higher pay in neighboring counties, and that repeated turnover consumes training funds.

Sheriff Brad Boulton’s report included operational numbers — arrests, traffic stops, civil processes and transports — but Alexander and Holly Whitten emphasized the particular risk that turnover poses to communications continuity and training budgets. Alexander said two recent employees left for Mills and Erath counties because of higher pay. Judge James Yates responded that addressing pay and retention "will not be an over night fix" and said the court will need to consider options.

The court did not adopt a pay change at the meeting; Alexander requested the court’s support and indicated staff would present additional information and options for the commissioners to consider.