County officials still hopeful to consolidate 911

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners were surprised by figures presented to the Sikeston City Council Monday but are still hopeful a 911 consolidation can be worked out.

During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners reviewed a spreadsheet prepared by Sikeston city staff which shows anticipated costs associated with the creation and operation of a joint dispatching center.

Commissioners were scheduled to meet today with the City Council to discuss a possible contractual agreement by which the city would provide E-911 dispatching services for the county.

"We're still working toward a 911 consolidation," Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said Tuesday. "I think our 911 merger is a work in progress until Sikeston and Scott County are satisfied as far as how we arrive at our numbers."

County officials understand there are costs associated with consolidating services.

"But it looks like we're being asked to shoulder all of that," Burger said of the latest figures. "I thought it would be more of a shared cost. For the initial combination of services, it looks like we're being asked to front a lot of the money."

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