A recommendation to have the county commission take over control of Pierce County’s 911 Center is on hold.
Commissioners tabled a recommendation voted on last month by the newly formed 911 advisory committee.
The committee voted unanimously at their first-ever meeting in April to recommend the E-911 center be a stand along department in county government and answer to the county commission. The recommendation came before the county commission at its meeting last Tuesday night and was tabled.
Fourth district commissioner David Lowman said prior to the vote to table the commission needed “more information” before taking action on the request.
The E-911 center was an independent department in county government until 2019 when it was placed under the supervision of Sheriff Ramsey Bennett.
Wright has previously said there have been some issues with dispatching.
In December of last year, the city learned Sheriff Bennett, in his role as director of the E-911 center, had directed dispatchers to dispatch certain calls to sheriff’s deputies instead of Blackshear Police, despite those calls being within the jurisdiction of the City of Blackshear.
Bennett did not respond to Wright’s claims.
Commissioners met in a one hour and 29 minute closed session prior to the vote to table. The reason given for the closed session was personnel and Sheriff Bennett met with the commission for almost an hour during the closed session.
County officials declined to say whether the closed session is related to the E-911 Center decision.
Another recommendation to the county commission by the 911 advisory committee was struck from the agenda. The recommendation to allow members to appoint a designee in case of absence was removed because the 911 advisory committee is to address it in their policies and procedures first.
