Finance committee OKs $37,000 budget overrun for dispatch

Taylor County will allow the sheriff’s department to overspend its budget in order to replace failing dispatch equipment, while looking ahead at the need to start planning for more equipment and computer replacement across county departments.

At the July 11 county finance committee, committee members approved allowing the sheriff to purchase new terminal stations in the dispatch center. The units have touch screen displays that show what emergency services units are where in the county and are used to communicate with the deputies.

According to sheriff Larry Woebbeking, the equipment is original to the remodel of the dispatch center and are considered at “end of life.” Without the equipment, the county will not be able to dispatch emergency response.

The cost of the two units and installation is $37,250. Woebbeking said he brought it to the law enforcement committee who advised him that it couldn’t wait to be budgeted for in the next year’s budget and that he should just overspend that line item in the budget for now. The county will need to use reserves to cover the cost.

“We are losing communication with our squads,” Woebbeking said, noting that when the system breaks down the county will be failing the public.

“It is safety equipment, we have to replace it right away,” said committee member Scott Mildbrand. He questioned if it would be possible to lower the equipment line item in the upcoming budget to make up for spending this budget year.

“We have always tried to be very frugal,” Woebbeking said, noting that with rising costs it is less easy to keep up with replacement expenses.

Committee member Mike Bub also noted that the line item for the equipment is also for all other computer equipment in the county. He raised concern that in recent years with COVID funds, many departments purchased additional computers and equipment which will begin to wear out and the county will need to decide if they need to be replaced.

Administrative Coordinator Nicole Hager said this issue has been raised with department heads with the guidance given to determine if the equipment needs to be replaced or if the departments can function without it, that it will not be replaced.

“Dollars will be tough to find,” Bub said, of the upcoming budget cycle.

For now, committee members approved overspending the sheriff’s department budget to get the needed equipment for the dispatch center.

In other business, committee members called on the creation of a county-wide policy regarding on-call pay for hourly employees who are required to respond after hours as part of their jobs. The issue was raised by the buildings and ground director seeking on call pay for his staff at a rate of $1.70 per hour when they are scheduled to be on-call. On call, requires them to be within a certain distance of the courthouse and able to respond. This would increase the department wages by about $8,000 per year. If the employees get called in they would still receive two hours of overtime pay plus the time they actually worked. It was noted that other departments handle it differently. “I think it should be across the board,” said committee member Lisa Carbaugh.

Bub said he supported compensating people for being on call, but said he hated voting on something that is being “worked on” in regard to rules and requirements. He noted the city has had issues with this in the past as they developed their policy.