By Austin R. Eck —
Gillespie County Commissioners approved the creation of a new department to oversee a consolidated dispatch operations in unanimous vote during Monday’s regular session meeting.
The decision came from the recommendation given by the Dispatch Advisory Board to move dispatch operations from the Sheriff’s Office to a new department.
“It was unanimous that we should have a consolidated dispatch,” said John Culpepper, chairman of the Dispatch Advisory Board, which consists of three city-appointed representatives and two appointed by the county.
Culpepper outlined three options for management of the new center:
• Dispatch operations would remain in the county under the Sheriff’s Office control;
• Place dispatch operations under the chief of police, or,
• Form a separate department reporting to county commissioners.
During the session, Sheriff Buddy Mills proposed his own plan, separate from the recommendation of the advisory board, that the dispatch operations remain part of the sheriff’s office. After one year, if the advisory board is not pleased with Mills’ ability to meet its recommendations, the board would revisit creating a separate department.
For more on this story, read this week’s print and online editions of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. If you are a print subscriber, your full online subscription is free. All you need to do is call 830-997-2155 to get a password. If you are not a subscriber, call 997-2155 or click on the ‘Subscribe’ button on the left side of the home page and sign up today!