E-911 is asking the county for funding of another dispatcher, citing the call volume almost doubling over the past 16 years. The City of Smithville has already approved funding for one of the four needed overall.

E-911 Director Brad Mullinax made the request during a budget work session on June 17, saying, “Over the last 16 years we have had almost a 100% increase in call volume due to new emergency services personnel having been added to the county for the Sheriff’s Department, Smithville Police Department, and fire departments. In addition to that our workload has increased. We are entering and validating more warrants in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) as well as updating and registering information on sex offenders which is time consuming,” Mullinax explained.

Mullinax also addressed concern over E-911’s crowded radio frequency. He explained that the sheriff’s department and police department, as well as the Smithville Fire Department, share the same radio channel, and that with the new dispatchers the center could use additional available frequencies to separate the departments.

The E-911 Center currently employs 10 dispatchers, two per shift. The new position would increase the county’s annual contribution to the 911 center from $119,595 to $160,000. With one position already approved by the City of Smithville, and two positions funded by E-911 itself, a fourth funded by the county would allow three dispatchers to operate per shift, in four shifts.

“The city and county each currently fund three dispatch positions,” Mullinax said. “The Town of Alexandria funds about $25,000 a year, and then DeKalb County E-911 picks up the other piece of that. We are also responsible for all the operational costs, radio repairs, tower repairs, etc.”

Mullinax is also requesting the county make repairs to the E-911 Center building, on Mountain Street in Smithville, with COVID-19 relief funds or American Rescue Plan Act money, if possible, and to repave and seal the parking lot.

“Wood around the outside of the building next to the eaves is becoming rotten. We have temporarily patched it, but the lights are falling down on the front of the building. We would also like to improve insulation in the building to lower the electric bill, and the parking lot needs new asphalt. It’s possibly a $50,000 to $60,000 expense, but the E-911 district might help share some of the repair and improvement costs,” said Mullinax

The County Commission’s Health, Education & Public Welfare Committee is recommending that the budget committee approve Mullinax’s request. The budget committee has not yet acted