Angela Murphy fears higher starting wages paid to Anderson County dispatchers might tempt some of Allen County’s.
She told commissioners Tuesday an advertisement in a Garnett newspaper offered dispatchers $12.09 to start, while new dispatchers in Allen County were paid $10.25.
Glancing over a list of county employees and what they’re paid, Commission Chairman Dick Works noted all but one of Allen County’s was paid at least $11.90 an hour, and observed that benefits here might be better.
Murphy said her comments weren’t intended to be a request, but rather an illumination.
She said more was being demanded of dispatchers and that call volume was constantly increasing. Dispatchers answer emergency calls, as well as those to do with city services and from people with questions.
Commissioner Rob Francis, whose wife, Theresa, is a dispatcher, suggested Murphy research what other counties, not just Anderson, were paying and what benefits they offered. He also said that when dispatchers earned greater qualifications they should be rewarded.
Commissioner Gary McIntosh reminded Murphy and dispatchers to look at more than just starting salary, but also benefits and how quickly they advanced on the salary scale.
Works said he would like to know how many true emergency calls were in the total received.
No conclusions were drawn from the discussion.
COMMISSIONERS signed a proclamation proposed by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and Hope Unlimited to make April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Allen County.
CASA is partnering with the national “Pinwheels for Prevention” awareness campaign through its Kansas liaison, Kansas Children’s Service League, to raise awareness of child abuse and its prevention, said Aimee Daniels, CASA director for the 31st Judicial District.
She said CASA was doing a fund raiser this month in Allen, Woodson, Neosho and Wilson counties in partnership with Pump-N-Pete’s convenience stores. Cashiers are asking for donations.
Also, Daniels said, CASA will sponsor a “pinwheel garden planting” at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the garden area just south of the Allen County Courthouse. The public is encouraged to participate.
UPGRADE of a mile of Texas Road that runs east from 1400 Street (old U.S. 169) is planned in early summer, said Bill King, director of Public Works.
King said the road east of Kentucky Street and south of Strickler Dairy would be considered for upgrade this year or next because of anticipated heavier traffic when the new Allen County Hospital opens on North Kentucky Street.
Also, he said his crew would respond to remove snow from Kentucky Street near the hospital. “It isn’t too much of a stretch and we can easily do it,” he said.
