Committee members reported progress meeting with local fire departments about FY26 joint dispatch expenses and noted that negotiations on contracts and timing remain the next major step.

A committee member said the county has begun discussions with the departments in Stockland, Wilford and Wellington to align budgets and dispatch-fee timing so invoices arrive when departments set their budgets. The speaker said current per‑department contributions for the departments discussed are roughly $1,100 for this year, and that the combined total for those three departments is about $20,000.

Committee members said a pain point for volunteer departments is receiving an invoice at the end of the year when budgets are already set. To reduce administrative burden, staff said they are pursuing multi‑year contracts and earlier coordination so departments can plan in time for budget cycles. The committee also discussed whether to seek grant or volunteer funding support, but noted that raising fees reduces resources available to the volunteer departments.

Members said the next steps are continued meetings with remaining departments and beginning contract negotiations to finalize the county’s FY26 joint dispatch budget.