Beech Tree News Network

A special session of the Butler County Fiscal Court on Thursday evening led to a lengthy discussion of the Butler County EMS Dispatch Service.

The meeting opened with a discussion of the fees owed relating to three repeater towers operated by Butler County EMS. The fees, totaling $2,610.00, were discussed by the Court in March. At that meeting the magistrates asked for for a breakdown, and explanation of the fees. The fees were incurred when repeaters were installed for the Rescue Squad and fire departments in the second, third, and fourth districts.

EMS Director Terry Hunt was scheduled to be at the meeting on Thursday, but was unable to attend. Magistrates Chad Tyree and David Whittinghill found the breakdown distributed to them to be unsatisfactory, and each stated they felt more details were needed. Magistrate Bobby Moore stated that the fees were required by the Federal Communications Commission, and they had to be paid. Moore said if the fees weren't paid by April 28th fines could be issued.

Judge's Secretary Kim West was able to contact Terry Hunt, and discussion of the matter was halted until Hunt arrived at the meeting.

Hunt explained to the Court that $2,490.00 of the total was for the initial installation fees for the repeaters. The remainder covered the actual radio license fee for the repeaters. Hunt said the installation fees were a one-time expense, and that the licenses should be less than $200 annually.

After the explanation the magistrates voted 4-0 to pay the fees. Magistrate Stevie Givens was absent from the meeting.

While the Court waited to discuss the license fees, Judge David Fields opened the discussion portion of the agenda.

Members of the Butler County Ambulance Board were at the meeting to discuss the needs of Butler County Dispatch Service. At issue is a funding shortfall concerning dispatch, and their request last month that the county pay for some dispatch services.

Judge Fields opened the discussion by mentioning an idea put forth by Sheriff Scottie Ward. According to Fields, Ward had told him that other counties are turning over dispatch duties to Kentucky State Police Post #3 in Bowling Green. Fields said that the switch would allow the Sheriff's Office to have access to the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.

Ambulance Service Director Brian Mckinney told the Court that dispatch was capable of adding NCIC access, but that would require a dedicated dispatcher for the Sheriff's Office and City Police because of security restrictions. Along with Ambulance Board Member Don Sullivan, McKinney stated that regional dispatching is proving to be problematic, and isn't working well.

McKinney continued, telling the Court that he had spoken to Hart County's EMS director about that county's switch to dispatch through KSP Post 3. He said that Hart County EMS has been dissatisfied with dispatching services. McKinney said he got to listen in on a call between Hart County EMS and Post 3 dispatch. McKinney said there were some problems with the communications.

According to McKinney he has spoken to the Communications Director at Post 3 about what the switch would entail. Post 3 would hire 4 to 5 employees that would be dedicated to Butler County dispatch, however KSP would only dispatch emergency services and would not handle calls for City Utilities, the County Road Crew, or other non-emergency calls.

Ambulance Board member Patrick Daugherty expressed his concerns that non-local dispatching could face problems trying to direct reponders to where they are needed. Daugherty said that local knowledge and understanding are important for dispatch services.

"Not every call is at a house," said Daugherty.

Ambulance Service Billing Coordinator Nancy Cardwell explained to the Court that should dispatch be moved to KSP control that the county would have to give all their 911 and CMRS funds to the KSP. She told the necessity of keeping 911 surcharges and CMRS monies in the county was why the county did extensive 911 readdressing. She closed her comments saying that all those monies would go to Warren County, saying, "Warren County has enough money."

McKinney added that should those monies not cover the cost of personell for Post 3 that the county would be obligated to make up the difference. McKinney also stated that putting dispatch in KSP control would require radio changeovers for all ambulances, fire trucks, etc. He said that radios currently used by Butler County EMS cannot communicate directly with KSP dispatch. He also stated that even if dispatch services are transferred to KSP control that Butler County EMS still has to pay the full cost of new 911 equipment. That upgrade cost approximately $180,000.00.

McKinney added that once control of dispatch is given to KSP that there is no going back. He said that there are no options in place to resume dispatching duties at a local level once they are moved to Post 3. He also said that Paducah had considered a similar move and found it to be in their best interest to retain control of dispatch services.

Judge Fields reminded the Court that the matter was only in open discussion, and that no action would be taken on the matter at the meeting. Then he stated that according to the Hart County Judge-Executive they would save over $100,000 dollars per year by moving dispatch to KSP control. Fields said he sought the input of the Hart County Judge because of the similar sizes and populations of Butler and Hart County.

Magistrate David Whittinghill questioned McKinney about the funding shortfall. He asked for clarification about the number of dispatch employees, and their rate of pay. McKinney told him that dispatchers make $11.33 per hour and there are currently five dispatchers. He said that one-quarter of his and Nancy Cardwell's salaries are paid by dispatch. He said that the ambulance service would also no longer handle 911 addressing if dispatch services were moved.

Whittinghill contends that the dispatch expenses are putting an undue burden on Butler County taxpayers. "You already ask for $400,000 a year, now you're asking for more," said Whittinghill.

McKinney countered by reminding Whittinghill that when dispatch was transferred to EMS control that it made money. That is no longer the case because of the loss of land-line telephone surcharges and other expenses, according to McKinney.
As the discussion wound to a close McKinney reminded the Court that the Sheriff's Office is free to move their dispatching to KSP Post 3, if that would serve the office better. He said the move could be made at the Sheriff's expense.
The discussion closed with no action taken.

In other business the Court approved a business agreenment with Harding Benefits Consulting. The aggreement is required by KACO, and deals with county insurance. The motion to make the agreement passed 4-0. Magistrates were also given information packets concerning bid specs for courthouse mowing, and a proposed county nuisance ordinance.

The Court then went into closed session to discuss ongoing litigation. When they returned to open session the meeting was adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News