By Marlana Smith
The Shelby County Commissioners want to clarify what is published in the March 6 commission minutes regarding the 911 Office.
The minutes state: “911 Supervisor, Stacy Helmick met with Commission in the 911 office as she was dispatching. She is exploring scheduling options to try to cover shifts and cut down overtime. Commission is contacting Monroe County about possible combining our 911 dispatch department as we are both in need of dispatchers.”
“Monroe County is short of staff in 911 and so is Shelby County. We already have a mutual aid agreement with Monroe County where calls coming in to either county will roll over to the other county to be answered when needed. The discussions have been about temporarily assisting each other until staffing issues are resolved,” said Presiding Commissioner Terry Helmick.
“There is no discussion of a permanent merge of the two 911 agencies. The only way a permanent merger can happen is to go to a vote of the people in our county.”
Currently Shelby County 911 Office is one position part-time and full-time short. On average each dispatcher is working eight hours overtime weekly according to Helmick.
