June 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Due to increased call volume and workload over the last 16 years, the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (E-911) is looking to hire more dispatchers with extra help from the City of Smithville and DeKalb County governments.
The city has already done its part.
During a budget work session in April, 911 Director Brad Mullinax met with the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen at city hall to ask that the city increase its annual contribution to $160,000, up from $119,595. Two weeks ago (June 7th) the aldermen honored Mullinax’s request by including in the 2021-22 city budget funding of $40,405 (salary and benefits) for another paid E-911 dispatcher position. The aldermen adopted the budget on second and final reading last Thursday night, June 17.
Mullinax made a similar request of the county budget committee Thursday night, June 17.
“Over the last 16 years we have had almost a 100% increase in call volume due to new emergency services personnel having been added to the county for the Sheriff’s department, Smithville police department, and fire departments. In addition to that our workload has increased. We are entering and validating more warrants in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) as well as updating and registering information on sex offenders which is time consuming,” he said.
Another concern is that the Smithville and DeKalb County law enforcement agencies and Smithville Fire Department have to share the same radio frequency. Mullinax said the problem could be addressed by adding more dispatchers and making use of another available radio frequency to separate the departments on the air.
If approved the county’s annual contribution to the E-911 operation would increase from $119,595, to $160,000. Between the county, city, and E-911 district, four more dispatchers would be added (funded one each by the city and county and two by E-911) in order to have three dispatchers per shift (four shifts).
The DCECD (E-911) central dispatch center currently employs ten dispatchers, two per shift.
“The city and county each currently fund three dispatch positions and the Town of Alexandria funds us about $25,000 a year and then DeKalb County E-911 picks up the other piece of that (those costs). We (E-911) are also responsible for all the operational costs, radio repairs, tower repairs, etc.,” said Mullinax.
He is also asking that the county make repairs and improvements to the E-911 center building on Mountain Street in Smithville with COVID-19 relief funds or American Rescue Plan Act money if possible and to repave and seal the parking lot.
“Wood around the outside of the building next to the eaves is becoming rotten. We have temporarily patched it but the lights are falling down on the front of the building. We would also like to improve insulation in the building to lower the electric bill and the parking lot needs new asphalt. Its possibly a $50,000 to $60,000 expense but the E-911 district might help share some of the repair and improvement costs,” said Mullinax
The County Commission’s Health, Education & Public Welfare Committee is recommending that the budget committee approve Mullinax’s request.
The budget committee has not yet acted.