Liberty considers ending its 911 dispatch

February 1, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Liberty

Liberty Township officials confirmed Tuesday they have been in talks with the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department to move the township’s 911 dispatch to the county 911 center, saving Liberty a significant amount of money on operating costs.

Officials said the last two contracts with the four full-time township dispatchers gave them raises each year and have made the operations cost more than what the levy to fund the system brings in.

In March 2008, Liberty residents voted for a 1.25-mill levy to fund dispatch for five years, bringing in $283,000 a year. Meanwhile, the previous three-year contracts gave the dispatchers raises beginning in 2008 of $1 an hour plus an additional 9 percent increase through 2010. The current contract gives them 1.25-percent, 1.5-percent and 2-percent raises between 2011 and 2013, according to the contract.

The operating costs have increased to $302,963 in 2011 from $281,110 in 2009, according to township records. The township’s general fund has covered the shortfall.

Board of trustees Chairman Stan Nudell said there are only two options: Ask voters to increase the millage, or send the dispatchers to Trumbull County and lower the millage.

“We’re looking at all options,” said township Administrator Pat Ungaro. “It appears the cost saving to taxpayers would be significant, but nothing is etched in stone.”

The move would not cost the employees their jobs, and they still would be in the same union, Ungaro said.

Jeff Perry, the Ohio Police Benevolent Association representative for both Liberty Township and Trumbull County dispatchers, declined to comment for this story until further information came out about the possible move.

Liberty Police Chief Richard Tisone could not be reached to comment Tuesday.

Trumbull County deputy and 911 Administrator Ernie Cook said for the 14 police departments and 20 fire departments for which the county 911 center dispatches, efficiency and safety have increased because there are more dispatchers to handle calls.

He said on average, the county has five working per shift and during hours with a higher numbers of calls, there are more. In all, it staffs 22 dispatchers and six supervisors.

And the move also would be a financial advantage to Liberty.

“Equipment is every expensive,” Cook said.

He said on average, equipment becomes outdated every three to five years.

“It’s not us versus them,” Cook said. “It’s let’s get together and see how we can deal with this together.”