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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving Increase in Authorized FTE Count for Public Safety Dispatchers from 11 to 12 for the Period between November 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021 RESOLUTION NO. 20-526 RESOLUTION APPROVING INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED FTE COUNT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS FROM 11 TO 12 FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2020,AND JANUARY 1, 2021 FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the Emergency Communications Center(Dispatch) is staffed by 11 full-time Public Safety Dispatchers and one Lead Public Safety Dispatcher,and these 12 individuals provide 911 call-taking and emergency services dispatch services 24 hours a day,every day of the year;and, WHEREAS,in addition,they annually take thousands of calls for information about the City from citizens and there are always at least two dispatchers on duty; and, WHEREAS, two dispatcher vacancies will arise in the next several weeks; one dispatcher has resigned effective October 28 and another will retire on January 1; and, WHEREAS,anticipating the retirement,a recruitment was conducted and is now in its final stages,and staff is requesting to hire two Dispatchers around November 1 to provide an overlap that will reduce, but not eliminate, the challenges and some costs associated with transition to new dispatchers; and, WHEREAS, to accomplish this, the department is requesting to increase the authorized staffing level from Public Safety Dispatchers from 11 to 12 for the period from November 1,2020, to January 1, 2021; and, WHEREAS,replacing and training a dispatcher is a time-intensive process; dispatchers are required to take a 40-hour training course at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and they cannot enroll in that course until they have been hired by a qualified agency; and, WHEREAS, in addition, each dispatcher completes an approximately 16-week in-service training program with the department; and, WHEREAS,if both new Dispatchers are hired on November 1,the training can proceed more quickly, reducing the length of time that overtime is required; the net increased cost to hire both Dispatchers on November 1 is expected to be between $200 and $2,700 compared to hiring one Dispatcher on November 1 and one Dispatcher on January 2; and, WHEREAS, additionally, because there is a limited number of qualified Dispatchers, staff is concerned that a loss of additional Dispatchers due to COVID-19 or other illnesses will have a detrimental impact on this critical function. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the increase to the authorized FTE count for Public Safety Dispatchers from 11 to 12 for the period between November 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 13`'' day of October, 2020. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Betcher Seconded by: Junck Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 13t'day of October, 2020.