Tenn. E-911 Dispatch Director Salary Increase Fails

June 23--An amendment to increase pay for the position of dispatch director at the E-911 Emergency Communications Center failed during last Monday night's Cumberland County Commission meeting.

The position is not filled at this point, but it has been offered to an individual, Cumberland County Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr. said.

The previous director retired in February of this year.

According to the resolution, "The salary proposed for the new dispatch director by the Central Communications Committee is $41,500 based on placement on the /Cumberland County pay scale at a grade 12 step 14 plus a $12,000 annual supplement for a total compensation of $53,500."

The county's budget committee approved the request made by the Central Communications Committee.

Carey explained there is no increase over the previous director. The E-911 Communications District was paying the $12,000 supplement, but stated it can no longer do so.

The position is funded by three entities, the city of Crossville, E-911 and Cumberland County. The CCC made a request the three governmental entities split the cost of the supplement and run it through the county, in addition to the current salary.

The amendment was for a total of $2,413. The funds would come from contracted services line in the general fund for $1,609; and $804 from undesignated fund balance.

Jeff Dyer, 1st District commissioner, made a motion to approve the amendment and Dave Hassler, 3rd District, supported the motion.

Nancy Hyder, 2nd District commissioner, said, "I'm going to vote no on this. Last month I voted no on the school system requests for extra money ... We've got a salary scale. A director salary should be fair enough ... I'm sure there's some (employees) there that would take the job at the director's rate without more money. I think we ought to treat everybody fairly. This is not level or fairly."

Wendell Wilson, 6th District commissioner, said, "I'm with Nancy. I think they ought to take it at the salary and if they're doing good next year, then give them the raise. I will vote no."

Elbert Farley said he would vote no for same reason. "I voted no on BOE (requests) for the same thing."

Woody Geisler, 9th District commissioner, said, "The wage scale (committee) says if you're a good employee and leave the county and come back, you only get half. This one has never been (an employee) and we're building whole new scale? It's not fair to anybody."

Hyder added, "I'm sure all (department) directors would like a $12,000 raise. If you treat this as a business and think about us using taxpayer dollars, it doesn't seem fair."

Tracey Scarborough, 1st District commissioner, asked, "Is this person working? If no, then I have to vote no."

Tom Isham, 2nd District commissioner, said, "I vote no. I think we need to stay on track with the pay scale grade 12 step 1 at $45,700. I vote no."

Sonya Rimmer, 8th District commissioner, asked, "Have they or have they not hired someone?"

Carey said, "No. They have offered the position to someone and there was a problem with salary. The city (of Crossville) has OK'd for next year, but not for this (fiscal) year."

Commissioners voting yes on the resolution were Dyer, Hassler; and Jack Davis, 5th District.

Commissioners voting against the resolution were Scarbrough; Hyder; Isham; Rebecca Stone, 3rd District; Allen Foster and David Gibson, 4th District; Terry Lowe, 5th District; Wilson; Farley; Rimmer and Tim Claflin, 8th District; and Geisler.

The resolution failed in a 12-4 vote.

Commissioners Terry Carter, 6th District, and John Kinnunen, 9th District, did not attend the meeting.

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