MARIES COUNTY — Maries County 911 dispatchers could receive raises of up to $1 per hour as the Maries County Emergency Services Board attempts to retain employees while preparing to take over operations of the county’s emergency communications center.

Members of the Maries County Commission discussed staffing on Sept. 21 after Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman reported attending Friday’s Emergency Services Board meeting, where the resignation of 911 supervisor Nicole Bexten was discussed.

Stratman said Bexten had worked out the dispatch schedule for the remainder of the year despite her departure. The center currently has approximately four full-time employees, but Emergency Services Board would like to add another dispatcher.

Commissioners also discussed who could serve as an interim supervisor until a permanent replacement is selected. Commissioner Patrick Kleffner suggested asking Bexten who among the existing staff would be best suited for the temporary position.

Stratman said numerous applications had already been received for the director’s position and that a committee was expected to review them. Officials hoped to identify a candidate within two or three weeks, although commissioners noted a successful applicant could need additional time to provide notice to a current employer.

Staffing concerns returned to the discussion when Stratman received a telephone call from Maries County Emergency Services Board President Bonnie Prigge during the meeting and placed the call on speakerphone.

Prigge said the board wants to increase the pay of existing dispatchers in an effort to prevent additional departures.

“The board is interested in doing that if the commission is comfortable with that,” Prigge said. “We’re concerned of losing any more dispatchers, and we know we’re low compared to other counties around.”

Because the dispatchers remain county employees during the transition, Prigge said the board wanted to make sure increasing their wages would not create problems with the county’s salary schedule or with other courthouse employees.

Prigge told commissioners the Emergency Services Board would cover the additional expense by increasing the amount it reimburses the county.

Commissioners discussed whether that meant the raises would ultimately have any effect on the county’s budget.

“So basically, we’re not paying that to them,” Rhonda Rodgers, county clerk, said. “They pay.”

Stratman agreed, saying that was how he viewed the arrangement.

Eastern District Commissioner Rodney Southard also indicated he had no objection to the raises being funded by the Emergency Services Board.

Prigge told commissioners that Maries County’s dispatcher wages are lower than those in Gasconade, Osage, Phelps and other surrounding counties.

The board had not settled on a specific increase but was considering between 50 cents and $1 per hour.

“We’re still going to be under most of those, I believe, for starting,” Prigge said.

Southard asked whether the board was considering an increase of up to $1 per hour.

“Yeah, I think so,” Prigge responded.

Commissioners also discussed a starting wage of approximately $18.50 per hour in a neighboring county, although Prigge cautioned that she was recalling that figure from memory.

The reduced staffing level is also expected to create overtime when dispatchers are unavailable.

Prigge said four employees can cover the normal shifts, but the arrangement leaves little flexibility.

“I think four people can cover the shifts, but if anybody’s out sick or doctor’s appointments, then somebody else is going to have to pick up, so they’re going to have overtime,” Prigge said.

After the call, commissioners continued discussing the proposed increase.

Stratman said Prigge had discussed a range of 50 cents to $1 per hour.

“I would imagine $1 would be the deal,” Stratman responded.

Southard said commissioners should know the amount before saying they approved the proposal.

“It’d be good to know the amount since we’re saying we approve it,” Southard said. “I guess just to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Stratman said he would contact Prigge and tell her the arrangement would be acceptable.

The county continues to operate the 911 center during the transition to the Emergency Services Board.