Resident urges moving 911 dispatch from jail to speed jail recertification

A resident who said he previously worked as a county and city police officer told the Meigs County Commission that relocating the county’s 911 dispatch out of the jail would free roughly 5,600 square feet and could allow the county to regain jail certification more quickly and at lower cost than building a new pod or hiring additional corrections officers.

"The moving 9 1 1 out of out of the jail would be the the most cost efficient thing you could do to get recertified quickly," the resident said, arguing that dispatch already occupies secure space adjacent to booking and that moving dispatch would avoid major remodeling costs. He described existing plumbing, restrooms and hallways that would ease repurposing the space and suggested the transfer could be done rapidly in some cases.

Commissioners discussed temporary alternatives for dispatch while modifications proceed. One commissioner said the merchant operations center (emergency operations center) could be used to house EMS staff and temporarily support dispatch functions, estimating it could be accommodated for about four to six months though it would be disruptive to normal operations. The commission did not adopt a formal decision in the session; the suggestion was presented as a cost-saving option for staff and commissioners to consider in planning recertification work.