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Magnolia council approves switch to Stark County dispatch after CENCOM closure
Summary
After learning its contracted dispatcher, CENCOM, will close Nov. 1, Magnolia Village Council voted to contract with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office for dispatch services, based on cost and technical capability; Chief Chad Schlimm recommended the move and council approved Res. 2024-17 unanimously.
Magnolia Village Council voted Sept. 18 to move its emergency dispatching contract to the Stark County Sheriff’s Office after the village’s current provider, CENCOM, announced it will close on Nov. 1, 2024.
Police Chief Chad Schlimm told council he solicited replacement quotes and presented three options: RED Center at about $14.22 per resident per year (roughly $1,185 per month for Magnolia), the Stark County Sheriff’s Office at about $5,000 per year (about $417 per month), and Minerva Police Department at about $4,500 per year (about $375 per month). Chief Schlimm said the Stark County Sheriff’s Office appeared to be the best fit for the village because of its technical capabilities and the potential to reduce delays; he noted the Magnolia Fire Department already uses Stark County dispatching.
Council adopted Resolution 2024-17 to enter a contract with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office on a motion from Jim Miller, seconded by Claudia Rogers; the minutes record the vote as "all ayes." The resolution directs the mayor and fiscal officer to finalize the contract and arrange the transition before CENCOM’s scheduled closure.
Chief Schlimm also described operational preparations tied to the dispatch change: he said the department has updated in-car computer hardware and will implement in-car computer use once a new dispatch contract is in place, and that the department has moved crash reporting from OLEIS into an OHLEG crash module so crash reports and other calls are consolidated.
The council did not vote on an ordinance at the meeting; Chief Schlimm separately presented an ordinance template to regulate truck routes and noted formal adoption of such an ordinance would enable enforcement of newly placed signs.
