911 director warns of persistent staffing and funding pressures; council reviews overtime and part‑time strategy

Johnson County 9‑1‑1 Director Pete Brandt told council the dispatch center faces two long‑running pressures: training time for new dispatchers and the state level of funding for emergency communications. Brandt said the county’s dispatcher training pipeline is lengthy — “it takes 8 months to train a dispatcher” — which contributes to staffing gaps and overtime costs. He also told council the statewide fee distribution that funds 9‑1‑1 centers has not increased for years and that legislative changes could reduce local distributions in future years.

Brandt presented overtime figures for his center and said the agency is working to recruit and retain part‑time staff and to alter scheduling and recruitment strategies so overtime declines. He reported the county’s 9‑1‑1 vacancy and turnover rates were lower than national averages for comparable centers, and that part‑time pay increases based on the WIS recommendations are intended to help attract more part‑time hours and limit overtime.

Council members pressed for more detail: they asked for overtime by employee and for an explanation of long training times and how many additional full‑time positions might reduce overtime. Brandt agreed to provide additional data and the department will be working with council and HR to implement recruitment and scheduling changes intended to reduce the long‑term overtime burden.