Dispatch staffing shortages a concern

Chase County Sheriff Kevin Mueller sat down with Chase County Commissioners Jacci Brown and Dennis Kunnemann at their Nov. 9 meeting to discuss his concerns over the county’s shortage of dispatchers.
The Sheriff’s Office currently has three full-time and two part-time dispatchers. Mueller would like to carry a staff of five full-time and three or four part-time dispatchers.
“We have been running shorthanded off and on for over two years, but this last year we have been short the entire year,” Mueller said.
While his dispatchers are dedicated to the job, Mueller said the shortage is taking a toll on them.
    “If I were to lose just one more dispatcher it’s more than likely we would have to close permanently and contract with another county,” Mueller said.
One challenge for the Sheriff’s Office is finding applicants willing to work with the jail’s inmates.
Mueller said closing the jail and housing prisoners somewhere else is an option because it’s better to lose the jail than to lose both the dispatch center and jail.
 Filling the overnight shifts is the toughest, he said.
The commissioners approved a $1 raise for the night shift during the meeting. The county pays $18 per hour for full time dispatchers and $16 for part time.
Mueller said the possibility of losing dispatch is alarming to him and he would hope the public would share that concern.
“The loss of dispatch, I believe, would be detrimental to our community. If we have to contract with another county for the service, we will lose the personal touch and control over any decision-making on its operation,” Mueller said.
With local dispatchers, Mueller said they are part of the community so they care more about the citizens.
But being a dispatcher also comes with a unique set of challenges and pressures, he added.
“Sometimes there are miscommunications or other situations that occur outside of your control that are scrutinized by numerous individuals. This criticism definitely takes a toll and could dissuade people from applying or retaining good employees,” Mueller said.
While the current situation is cause for concern, Mueller is optimistic his office will find qualified applicants to fill the open positions.
Commissioners consider
new engineering firm
Baker and Associates has tossed its hat into the ring to engineer the upcoming Champion and Wauneta road projects.
Toney Krajewski, who has attended the last several commissioners’ meetings as an advisor, would work with the company as a sub-consultant for field support on the projects.
Engineering International decided not to send an updated proposal for the projects.
Brown and Kunnemann approved a quote from Shelco to crack seal 1.7 miles of the pavement south of Wauneta at a cost of $13,7000.
Debbie and Roger Teply attended the meeting to request a Champion alley be vacated. Highway Superintendent Jeff Tidyman will be contacted to do a road study.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be Nov. 23 at 8 a.m. in the courthouse.