UPDATE: Union County officials have initiated urgent discussions to transfer dispatch services from the city of Creston to the county, a move aimed at improving efficiency and coverage. This proposal, brought forth by Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton, was presented to the board of supervisors on Wednesday during a critical meeting.
The current setup has dispatch operations managed by Creston’s law enforcement center, which has faced challenges in staffing due to the city’s limitations on hiring full-time and part-time dispatchers. Sheriff Bolton emphasized that the city’s inability to hire additional part-time staff has created gaps in coverage, stating, “Not having the ability to hire part-timers has put them, it’s been hard to fill those gaps.”
Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer has expressed support for the shift, reinforcing the idea that moving dispatch to county control could streamline operations. Sheriff Bolton noted that this change would enable jailers and dispatchers to interchange roles more effectively, helping to alleviate staffing pressures without forcing all staff into dual roles.
The proposed transition is currently garnering attention from all three county supervisors, with Supervisor Dennis Hopkins indicating willingness to support the shift if it proves cost-effective. “If it would save the city or law enforcement money and if the county was not accruing additional costs, I will be supportive,” Hopkins stated.
Bolton raised concerns about the financial implications of transitioning employees from city to county status, particularly regarding promised benefits for dispatchers. However, he indicated that this opportunity could significantly relieve the heavy workloads currently faced by dispatch staff while maintaining service commitments to county residents.
Both Mayor Waylon Clayton and police chief Ver Meer attended the meeting to voice their support for the transition, highlighting that the only potential hurdle would be financial constraints. “The only thing that would give us any hang-up would be funds,” Bolton remarked.
As discussions progress, the focus will shift to ensuring that the change would not disrupt crucial services, especially considering that a majority of dispatch calls pertain to medical emergencies. Bolton plans to engage with Greater Regional to assess the impact of any changes on their operations.
The board’s initial discussions are categorized as exploratory, with no finalized plans yet. Future meetings will involve coordination between the city council and law enforcement to further evaluate the proposal’s feasibility, especially concerning financial implications.
Residents of Union County may see significant changes in dispatch operations if the county and city can reach an agreement. More updates are anticipated as both entities work together to explore this potential shift.
In related news, Union County has postponed a planned ordinance review concerning secondary roads business to ensure thorough examination. A public hearing is scheduled for August 20 regarding the county’s decommissioning plan for windmills, keeping community stakeholders informed of ongoing developments.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation!
