Parties agree to revisit dispatch split
During a joint meeting on Feb. 22, the Newcastle City Council and Board of Weston County Commissioners agreed to revisit the issues that led to a march toward creation of two separate dispatch facilities — one city, one county — to service residents.
For the past several years, tension between the two entities escalated, resulting in the city’s decision to move the Newcastle Police Department and dispatch services to City Hall and the county’s decision to start up and operate a second dispatch center.
The main point of contention between the two bodies involved who would oversee dispatch operations. The county supported the creation of a joint powers board to oversee dispatch operations, while the city wanted to maintain oversight of the dispatch center. The city also proposed an updated service contract with the county.
Commissioner Don Taylor, Councilman Tyrel Owens and other members of both governing boards have been adamant over the past two years that two dispatch centers is not the right solution to end the ongoing debate.
Other government officials, including Sheriff Bryan Colvard and Weston County Emergency Management Coordinator Gilbert Nelson, have stated on several occasions that the two entities working together to avoid two dispatch centers is the most feasible and fiscally responsible option.
During the Feb. 22 meeting, both Taylor and Owens continued to rally behind the boards, working together to figure out a way to work together with one dispatch center.
While there was some bickering back and forth to begin the Feb. 22 meeting, Councilman Tom Voss put the brakes on talking about the past and asked the elected officials to think about the future.
“With all that being said, how do we go from this (the dispatch split) to one dispatch?” he asked.
Voss said that the purpose of the meeting was to come to an agreement on how to keep one dispatch.
“That is the only question we are here about,” he reiterated.
“The main thing I see as someone coming in, is there is a lot of miscommunication,” Commissioner Vera Huber said. “There are a lot of things said that are not true. To everyone, it seems like the City Council doesn’t want to give up power. This is about the safety of citizens, about every citizen, not just the city.”
Huber reiterated the county’s position on forming a joint powers board to oversee dispatch operations. Taylor added that such a board would allow for equal representation and eliminate the bulls eye on one entity’s back when issues arise.
Following the back-and-forth discussion on the events that led to the proposed split and the disagreements since, the two boards agreed that Newcastle Police Chief Chuck Bowles, Sheriff Bryan Colvard and Upton Police Chief Susan Bridge should discuss dispatch services moving forward and present a proposal to the board.
Both entities expressed support for a dispatch oversight board, whether that be an advisory board or joint powers board.
“The white elephant in the room is that for 20 to 30 years dispatch has been under the control of one entity…,” Commission Chairman Ed Wagoner said. “This way, with a joint powers board we can come together as one entity to control dispatch. … If you have one board, advisory or joint powers, over dispatch. I think a lot of the problems work themselves out.”
Mayor Pam Gualtieri said that the police department will continue relocating to City Hall, no matter what decision is made about dispatch services. She noted that the move should be a positive one for both entities, due to the lack of space at the Weston County Law Enforcement Center.
Taylor maintained that the two entities need to keep the ball rolling, citing a time crunch with the moves and purchase of dispatch equipment.
In closing, Bowles reminded everyone in the room not to forget the community they serve. He said that if the focus is removed from the city and county hating each other, the two entities can refocus to provide what they all want, safety for the residents of Weston County.
