Centralized Dispatch in Marshall County is getting closer to a reality with the recent addition of the 3rd shift from the Plymouth Police Department. But there are concerns and Monday Commissioner Kevin Overmyer and Councilwoman Judy Stone discussed a recent City Council meeting they attended where Sheriff Tom Chamberlin and Police Dave Bacon discussed the partnership.
The Dispatch Center at the jail is anticipating taking control of all dispatching for the Plymouth Police Department’s by early summer.
Stone told the commissioners on Monday, “I’m for central dispatch, I like the idea and the results it will produce but I have concerns.” She said she had concerns on liability, perpetuation, wear and tear on our equipment and the possibility of additional costs to the county.
Commissioner Overmyer discussed some of the history on centralized dispatch. In July 2011 Sheriff Chamberlin appeared before the County Council and commissioners to discuss centralized dispatch. Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter also addressed the council and suggested forming an ad hock committee to create a fair funding mechanism.
Overmyer said the committee was formed and they explored what the possibilities and pitfalls were. Back in the days, Argos, Culver and Bourbon were paying the county $4,000 a year to handle their non-emergency phone calls. The county attorney put an intergovernmental agreement together between the county, city and the three towns that would form a board but it went nowhere.
When asked if anyone had seen a memorandum of understanding between the city and county no one has seen one. County Attorney Jim Clevenger said, “Whenever you are exchanging services it’s nice to know who’s responsible for what.”
New commissioner Kurt Garner asked if there were minutes from the ad hock committee meetings. He too said he liked the idea of centralized dispatch.
It was suggested Clevenger dust off the draft for commissioner review and check with the city attorney to see if he has noted from the committee meetings and move forward from there.
