City, County Leaders Meet to Discuss 911 System

The Paducah Board of Commissioners and McCracken County Fiscal Court met at City Hall Monday night to hear a presentation from Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch Center Executive Director Dale Edmondson about his county's 911 center.  

Edmonson said Campbell County’s governing structure began in 2001 with the approval of an inter-local agreement among the Campbell County Fiscal Court, the City of Newport, and the City of Fort Thomas. This agreement created the Campbell County Dispatching Board, and consolidated three 911 entities.  A consolidated 911 center was constructed in the Newport City Building with services beginning in July 2002.  The Dispatching Board is a board of seven public safety members with no elected officials on the board.  

The Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch Center is funded with a service fee on the property tax bill for homes and businesses. The $75 flat fee replaces the monthly land line fee. The Dispatch Center also receives revenue through the State Commercial Mobile Radio Service Board through a surcharge fee that the State places on wireless phones.
 
The Paducah 911 Center is operated by the city, and has service agreements with McCracken County and volunteer fire departments. The Paducah 911 Center serves about 65,000 residents, and averages more than 164,000 calls per year. It has 22 full-time employees.