MARIES COUNTY — The Maries County Emergency Services Board (MCESB) has received nearly 10 applications for its first permanent 911 director as the newly formed district moves toward taking direct control of dispatch staffing and operations.

Board Chair Bonnie Prigge said during the Aug. 27 meeting that resumes had been received for the position, with the job posting continuing to circulate through Indeed and the Missouri 911 Association.

“I think we have nine or 10 resumes right now,” Prigge said.

The search is a significant step in the transition of Maries County’s 911 operation from county control to the independent Emergency Services Board created after voters approved a one-cent sales tax in November 2025.

The county is continuing to operate dispatch and provide staffing under contract while the board establishes its own operation. Prigge said the goal is for the MCESB to have its own director and staff in place by the end of the year.

Nicole Bexten is currently serving as acting director and remains involved in day-to-day dispatch operations while the transition takes place.

During the meeting, Bexten fielded questions and provided updates on several operational issues, including dispatch technology, staffing, training and communications with law enforcement agencies.

Board members also agreed to have Allan Pollreisz, custodian of records, begin meeting with Bexten weekly to stay informed about the needs of the dispatch center.

“I’d like to start meeting with Nicole once a week, just to kind of keep top on what’s going on down there,” Pollreisz said, adding that the meetings could include discussions about training and other needs.

Prigge agreed with the proposal.

The board is now developing a process for narrowing the director applicant pool before conducting final interviews.

Prigge suggested using a smaller screening committee to review applications and identify candidates for further consideration rather than having the entire board initially review each applicant.

“I think the full board needs to interview when we talk two, three, whatever, whatever that might be,” Prigge said.

She said applicants may be asked to complete questions, written exercises or scenarios designed to demonstrate more than their work history.

“We’re wanting some higher level thinking, so, you know, some questions or a written exercise, something that would kind of show us problem solving, leadership skills, some things like that,” Prigge said.

Attention to detail was also identified as an area the board wants to evaluate.

Prigge suggested the screening process could initially reduce a field of approximately 10 applicants to five, with additional exercises used to narrow the field again before finalists are presented to the full board.

Pollreisz agreed that using a smaller group for the initial screening would be more practical.

“If we could, you know, narrow it down, I think that would probably be better,” Pollreisz said. “And then I want everybody involved in interview questions and final interviews.”

The board agreed that Prigge, Pollreisz and Keith Kilmer, vice chair, would serve as the initial screening committee.

Prigge said local knowledge could be useful when evaluating applicants but noted the board has also received interest from outside Missouri.

“One of the resumes is from Florida,” Prigge said.

Treasurer Steve Conrad said having local members involved in the screening process could provide additional knowledge about applicants and how they may fit into the community.

Prigge said that fit will be an important consideration, particularly for applicants coming from outside the area.

“If you have somebody coming up from out of state, how are they going to fit in?” Prigge said. “Are they going to work well with staff and that sort of thing?”

The board agreed to keep the paid Indeed posting active through Sept. 10. Pollreisz said approximately $75 had been spent promoting the position during the previous two and a half to three weeks. The board authorized another maximum of $75 to continue the advertisement.

“We’ll do the Indeed through September 10,” Prigge said.

Staffing remains one of the issues the incoming director will inherit.

Bexten told the board during the meeting that one dispatcher was leaving full-time employment to work at Salem Hospital. She said the change would reduce staffing to approximately the level the department had before the board began its transition efforts, although the employee could return for part-time work after a required 30-day period.

The permanent director will ultimately play a central role in the board’s larger goal of assuming responsibility for the 911 operation from Maries County, including supervision of staff, training, technology and daily dispatch operations.