Barton County’s Communications/911 Dispatch employees were recognized Tuesday by the Barton County Commission, with the proclamation of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
Deana Popp, 911 director, asked the commissioners to approve the proclamation that honors public safety communications officers for their vital role in protecting the life and property of Barton County citizens.
“Some of the things they have to deal with are very heavy or serious,” Popp said. They are not on-scene physically, but dispatchers are the first point of contact in an emergency. “It’s a stressful job at times.”
The department has two or three openings. Popp described the ideal candidate:
“A key trait of 911 dispatchers is extreme multitasking. When typical responders handle one incident and multiple aspects of that incident, 911 dispatchers handle multiple incidences and all aspects of those all at one time.
Some people are experiencing a traumatic or life-changing event and may take emotion or anger out on the dispatcher, so thick skin is also a must.” Dispatchers must think fast with limited information, remain calm, and be able to work with the technology at the department.
“I’m very appreciative for the staff that I have, for their dedication, the long hours, the overtime and time away from their families, to help provide emergency response to the citizens of Barton County,” Popp said.
Barton County employment opportunities can be found on the county website. BartonCounty.org.
Landfill fees increased.
The commissioners also approved an increase in rates at the Barton County Landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (trash) will increase from $42 per ton to $50 per ton. Construction and demolition waste will increase from $36 per ton to $40 per ton. Contaminated soil is also $40 per ton.
Solid Waste Director Jennifer Hamby noted that the landfill operates on user fees. The increase was requested after reviewing income and expense projections.
CKCC Advisory Board
Kenton Doze was appointed to a two-year, uncompensated term on the Central Kansas Community Corrections Advisory Board. CKAA Director Brooke Haulmark said Doze, Hoisington’s former police chief, has 47 years of experience in law enforcement and fits the description of the ideal candidate for a board member: someone who can assess community needs, be interested in community corrections, and be adaptive and supportive of change that will lead to improvements within CKCC.
Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger noted that when he was chief of police, Doze attended the CKCC Advisory Board meetings as a non-voting member. The board consists of 12-15 members and there are spots open for residents of Stafford and Great Bend.
Tax adjustments
In other business, the board approved Batch 6 of added/abated/escaped/refunded taxes, presented by County Clerk Bev Schmeidler at the request of the Appraiser’s Office. There were 24 records, representing a net loss of $19,596.84. Schmeidler said these were primarily from taxes paid under protest.
