The Monticello – Wayne County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center Board met in regular
session on Wednesday with Chairman Bubby Corder, members Gordon Hicks,
Michael Roberts, Vincent Decker, and Gabe Heatherly present. The Monticello
Police Chief and Sheriff were absent. Also present was Director Cory Byrd and 9-
1-1 Finance Officer Shannon Upchurch.
Following the recommendation of Chairman Corder, a
motion was made by Gordon Hicks and seconded by Gabe Heatherly, with the
board unanimously approving Fiscal Year 2026 budget that includes an across the
board $2 per hour pay increase for all 9-1-1 dispatchers and staff. In that budget,
Upchurch also is proposing an additional 75-cents per hour for at least 4
dispatchers who work night shift, meaning that at least 4 of the dispatchers would
get a $2.75 per hour raise. The budget also sets forth an overtime night rate of
$1.13 for at least 4 of the dispatchers, meaning if one of the four agree to work an
extra shift at night, that dispatcher will be paid the overtime rate plus at additional
$1.13 hourly. The raise requests will be presented to the Wayne County Fiscal Court.
Upchurch told the board that Randall D. Turpin, CPA has agreed to
do the board audit this year.
It was announced that Wayne County EMS has now transitioned over to fully
digital communications, which Chairman Corder, who is also EMS Director and
Emergency Management Director, said allows better coverage for EMS is rural
areas. . Crews are still paged on their old frequency and will be using it to give their pre-arrival
reports to the hospital. Corder said using the frequency for that will also allow
EMS personnel to better communicate with ER Physicians when needed.
Wrecker Service was again discussed. Director Byrd told the board that 11 wrecker services
currently occupy the rotating wrecker listing. There was discussion on costs
charged by services, insurance held by some, and the reported lack thereof by
others. Byrd told the board he will begin checking insurance status for all
wreckers on the listing this week, and any new applicants already are required to
show proof. Byrd will reach out to County Attorney Tom Simmons to address
some legal questions before a final policy that will govern wreckers of the rotating
list is enacted.
Byrd said he is hopeful the wrecker policy can be ready by the next board meeting
which will be June 18, 2025 at 1:30 at the 9-1-1 building on Kendrick Avenue.