Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

County Eliminates 911 Director’s Post Shift To Emergency Services To Save $35,000 Annually

Kootenai County commissioners cut one position and gave two county employees raises in a restructuring that saves taxpayers $35,000 a year.

Commissioners announced Tuesday they would eliminate the 911 director’s position formerly held by Kent Hall, who resigned under pressure a month ago. The center’s responsibility now falls under the ballooning administrative umbrella of Bill Schwartz, Kootenai County director of Emergency Services.

The reorganization completes the county’s move to bring all the emergency services under one manager, who will coordinate planning, personnel and communication with outside agencies.

“All we ever heard about was how disorganized these three elements were,” said Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin. “This consolidation is not only economical but it puts organization where there was a lack of organization. I think it’s a real positive move forward and come next election I plan to take credit for it.”

Over the last year, the commissioners created the 911 advisory board to help oversee the center, which commissioners hinted had been the source of power struggles during the tenure of four directors.

“We don’t have the personality conflicts, we don’t have the turf wars. We have a good solid working relationship,” Rankin said of the new structure.

Using savings from Hall’s salary, Schwartz’s pay will increase from $43,000 to $45,000, while Amber Henderson will return to managing the 911 dispatch center, at approximately $3,000 more per year. Disaster Services and Emergency Medical Services will continue to be operated by Sandy VonBehren and Tom Teater, respectively. All three managers will report to Schwartz. From Hall’s $45,000 salary, the county will save approximately $35,000 a year.

Chairman Dick Compton said the commissioners had considered such a move one year ago when Schwartz was appointed director of Emergency Services.

But the timing wasn’t right, Schwartz said, and he was reluctant to take on the additional responsibilities. Now, the county has undertaken studies of countywide radio communications and the EMS system, and a plan to implement enhanced 911 is in place. That should ease the administrative transition, commissioners said.

“I think it is going to be a challenge,” Schwartz said. “But now we’ve got the proper lower management level people, and we’ll give them the flexibility to carry out the different responsibilities of the organizations.”

Compton said commissioners had faith in Schwartz because he successfully took over management of both Disaster Services and EMS in 1996.

“He’s a proven leader and has taken on some of some of the tough assignments we’ve given him and we know this one will go very well,” Compton said.

, DataTimes