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Officials outline plan for regional 9‑1‑1 funding; Leeds to pay $230,000 up front, county weighs hiring and training timeline
Summary
County and regional officials described a plan for Leeds to provide $230,000 up front to support expanded 9‑1‑1 dispatch services; commissioners discussed hiring two dispatchers, a 10‑month training period, and succession planning after a captain's announced retirement.
County and regional representatives told the St. Clair County work session that Leeds has agreed to provide $230,000 up front to support a regional 9‑1‑1 arrangement that would add dispatch capacity and fund initial staffing. The presenters said the plan is a three‑year phased arrangement in which Leeds pays an upfront sum and subsequent years transition to a shared 50% cost model.
"Leeds has agreed to pay $230,000 for the upfront and for the first year," one presenter said, explaining that two dispatchers would be brought on initially and more could be phased in. Commissioners were told it takes about 10 months to train a dispatcher, so timing is critical to meet an October 1 start date if the plan proceeds.
Separately, the sheriff’s office flagged the impending retirement of Captain Turntine on Dec. 31 and recommended two personnel options: hire an additional deputy now to avoid a cascade of vacancies from promotions, or promote from within and also hire a short‑term training coordinator to maintain communications continuity. Commissioners agreed the issue should appear on the Tuesday agenda and signaled support for moving quickly to approve temporary staffing or promotions to preserve dispatch operations.
No formal hiring or budget action was approved at the work session; commissioners asked staff to bring personnel language, cost estimates and timing to the formal meeting.
