The last thing you want when you dial 911 is the line to keep ringing. Boone County and Belvidere consider hiring another dispatcher to answer emergency calls faster and more efficiently.
The city and county share dispatchers. In 2010 they left two dispatch positions empty to save money. Now, the volume of calls has 911 operators working over time and aldermen are rethinking the vacancies.
Belvidere Alderman Clinton Morris says around 37,000 emergency calls come in each year. 13 operators answer those calls during different shifts. Hiring an extra operator would cost the city and county around $29,000 each. City council members agreed Monday night to consider budgeting for the extra help.
"The city and the county have had a tough financial situation this last few years. They have been doing with 13 dispatchers for a couple of years now. So the question is, is this really a good use of tax dollars?" says Ald. Morris.
The city has not made its 2013 fiscal year spending plan yet so it may chose to allocate money to cover the costs.
The county already approved its budget, so it'll have to come up with money for the position.
Ald. Morris says both municipalities are still deciding if this is a good idea.
