Dispatch center reports multiple recent resignations; committee schedules executive-session discussion

The county's dispatch supervisor told the finance committee on June 1 that the dispatch center has experienced repeated resignations and is short-staffed, with one recent hire resigning after only three days on the job. The supervisor said recruiting remains active and that a new hire is scheduled to start June 17 but that July coverage will be challenging.

"I hired two, and one of them has already resigned today — three days total time," the supervisor said, describing the operational strain created by rapid turnover and the challenge of providing sufficient training time for new hires.

The supervisor outlined current hiring procedures: application screening, chairside shadowing (three to four hours in the center) so applicants can see the role and staff can evaluate candidates, and a chairside part of the interview. He said short-term hires rarely complete a formal exit interview because they often resign by text, which limits feedback that could improve training and retention.

Committee members raised concerns about whether long-term employees are welcoming to trainees and whether workplace culture is contributing to turnover. A member suggested using an executive session to examine personnel and union-related matters; the committee agreed to schedule the executive session to discuss retention and onboarding issues.

Committee members and staff also discussed cross-county recruitment practices and visiting other counties to learn retention strategies. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting.