Dispatch leadership told commissioners that hiring and training timelines are long and that the center is still understaffed despite recent hires; the county will rely on E911 fund balance for future capital work rather than charging the general fund.

Ashley McKeown, the lieutenant who leads dispatch, and county staff explained that dispatch staffing is challenging: new hires require a multi‑month hiring process and six months of on‑the‑job training before they are fully operational. The dispatch center operates 12‑hour shifts that create built‑in overtime. To cover minimal staffing levels and planned capital upgrades, staff recommended using E911 surcharge revenue and fund balance for larger capital purchases rather than relying on annual general‑fund transfers.

County staff said they removed a planned 2026 911 refresh from the dispatch operations budget and are instead planning a full 2027 phone/console replacement estimated in the $170,000–$200,000 range to be paid from E911 fund balance. That E911 fund receives a steady surcharge (roughly $650,000 annually in recent years) and has been used to transfer $450,000 in prior years to dispatch operations; staff proposed continuing the transfer practice while preserving capacity in the E911 fund for capital refreshes.

Commissioners asked about schedules, overtime and whether the dispatch staffing model could move to 10‑hour shifts; staff said 12‑hour rotations are necessary now because staffing levels would require multiple hires to change shift length. Commissioners encouraged continued recruitment and agreed to the approach of funding major dispatch capital outlays from E911 funds rather than the general fund.