Emergency dispatching costs may decline for most next year

Callaway County charges to most local governments for providing emergency radio dispatching services is likely to decrease next year.

That tentative decision was reached Thursday afternoon during the Callaway County Commission's preliminary discussion of the annual budget for the 911 dispatching center located at the county's Emergency Operations Center.

Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann asked Shelly Anderson, 911 director, if she envisions any major expenses during the next three years.

Anderson said other than replacing a computer system server and a recorder, no major expenses are envisioned. The agency recently installed expensive new radio dispatching consoles.

The three-member commission then agreed that under these circumstances it is likely they will use more money from the 911 fund this year when figuring costs apportioned to contracts with county, city and district entities using dispatching services.

That tentative decision is likely to mean a decrease for most agencies using the service unless their use of the county's emergency radio dispatching service has been increasing rapidly.

Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer said all emergency radio dispatching services in Callaway County are handled by the county's 911 center. That includes all city police, sheriff, ambulance and fire agencies in the county.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.