Dispatch duty up for debate

Debate continues over 911 calls in Bureau County.

Area fire and rescue emergencies are dispatched through Bureau Emergency Communication (BuEComm).  Several county board members said 911 calls for law enforcement should be dispatched the same way and not transferred to a dispatcher at the sheriff's department.

County Board member Joe Bertetto supports the consolidation.  He said state statute allows the county board to regulate dispatch duties. States Attorney Patrick Hermann said the board has budgeting power but not the right to direct the sheriff’s dispatch.

County board chair Dale Anderson said maintaining both positions is like charging the taxpayers twice.  Sheriff John Thompson maintains that cutting the position won’t eliminate a salary since his dispatchers have multiple responsibilities.