Roosevelt County reviews dispatch staffing and explores independent governance

Roosevelt County officials reviewed current dispatch operations March 19 as commissioners continued to consider a governance change to make dispatch independent of city oversight.

Dispatch Coordinator Janelle Combs presented a staffing and operations update, noting eight full‑time dispatchers, a ninth dispatcher due to start in April and one vacancy. She said there are currently three consoles in operation and provided a handout with call‑volume breakdowns and other statistics.

Commissioners said they remain concerned about the potential for service interruptions if dispatch reports to another entity and reiterated a preference for establishing an independent governing board with an advisory committee that would not have oversight authority. Chair Tina Dixon asked for a meeting of the four appointed negotiators and the two managers to continue discussions and suggested the possibility of a roundtable including the full council and commission.

No formal governance change or policy was adopted at the meeting; commissioners thanked Combs for the improvements and directed staff to continue negotiations.