Dispatch discussion

Portland City Council will discuss the potential of centralizing emergency dispatching services at its next meeting.

Portland Board of Works will look at the issue before then.

A brief Portland City Council meeting Monday included another call to discuss emergency dispatching.

Council member Ron May asked that emergency dispatch consolidation be added to the agenda for the council’s Feb. 16 meeting. It has been a frequent topic of discussion for the council since May first raised the idea of creating a centralized dispatch center for all emergency responders in September. Currently, Jay County Sheriff's Office and Portland Police Department have their own dispatch units. He suggested that, if such a change were to be made, it would make sense to do it in conjunction with a countywide radio replacement project that is in the early stages of implementation.

Discussions on the topic have been contentious, with council members pushing to explore consolidation. They say it could improve safety and reduce costs. Mayor Jeff Westlake is firmly against the idea, expressing concern about losing dispatch jobs. Westlake worked as a city dispatcher for 12 years.

In December, Portland City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a process to explore consolidating emergency dispatch services.

Council member Dave Golden offered a reminder that Barry Ritter of public safety consulting firm Ritter Strategic Services is scheduled to attend the Portland Board of Works meeting Thursday. Council members have pushed for contracting with Ritter for a feasibility study on the topic.

Council member Ashley Hilfiker expressed concern that there is misinformation being spread about what consolidating dispatch services would entail.

During discussion that followed, Westlake said he has not seen significant issues with the current setup. Hilfiker then addressed Mindy Huth, a resident in attendance, who shared a situation in which she called Portland Police Department for a fire-related call and was told she could not be transferred. Instead, she had to hang up and call the sheriff’s office.

May also noted that a resident suggested that the county go a step further and have a single police department rather than separate entities for the county, Portland, Dunkirk, Redkey and Pennville.

Also Monday, council members and the mayor praised city staff for their efforts following the snowstorm that dumped nearly a foot of snow on the city. May noted that water, fire and wastewater department employees joined the street department in helping to get streets and alleys cleared.

Golden also asked residents to do a better job of clearing sidewalks in order to provide students safe places to stand while waiting for school buses.

In other business:

•May also asked that the possibility of the city council hiring its own legal counsel be added to the Feb. 16 agenda. The topic came up at the Jan. 20 meeting, during which city attorney Wes Schemenaur said he is being put in a difficult position with the city council and mayor frequently at odds with each other.

•Hilfiker addressed complaints she’s heard about the council not bringing in businesses, including a grocery store. She said council members have never turned away a business. She encouraged those concerned to start a business or find other avenues, including volunteering, to help the community.

•Heard a reminder that Splashin’ With a Passion: Peggy’s Plunge, a fundraiser for United Way of Jay County, is scheduled for noon Saturday behind Moser Engineering, 102 Performance Drive, Portland. Anyone is welcome to collect pledges for and take part in the polar plunge event. Also, Portland Fire Department will hold its annual chili supper from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15.

•As she did at the last meeting, clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips advised residents to keep faucets dripping during cold weather to help prevent frozen pipes.