Van Buren County Commissioners delaying two appointments to the county’s 911 Board as questions emerged about how the county should fill the seats moving forward.
Mayor Barry Austin proposed Commissioners Jeff Blair and Rip Van Winkle for two positions. During discussion, commissioners questioned the makeup of the board and whether county commissioners themselves could be used to fill Van Buren County’s five seats.
“They also recommend not having firefighters and some public safety officials on the board,” Austin said, “Because they feel that’s a conflict of interest serving 911.”
Austin said state statutes and the county’s existing arrangement with the City of Spencer are among the issues that need to be considered before moving forward. The issue comes as Van Buren County and Spencer prepare to address their 911 interlocal agreement.
Austin said the county currently contributes $150,000 while Spencer contributes $65,000 toward the service. Commissioners expect to revisit the board appointments next month.
Austin said current 911 Board members have served beyond the four-year terms established for the board, with some remaining in their positions for more than 10 years. Austin initially planned to replace two members this month and another two next month.
“The 911 board, all the members on the 911 board have been up there over four years. So I’ll be replacing two this month and two next month. We get five, the city gets two,” Austin said.
Austin said Van Buren County and Spencer share responsibility for 911 through an interlocal agreement. That arrangement gives the county five board seats and the city two.
Commissioner Michael Chandler questioned whether Van Buren County could simply use five county commissioners for its seats. Austin said commissioners could serve, but the arrangement with Spencer means 911 would still need its own board.
“No, it doesn’t. It can be five commissioners if we want it to be. Or it doesn’t have to be. It can be any anybody that the county court or the mayor chooses to fill our, those five spots that the county has,” Austin said.
Sheriff Michael Brock said 911 is a stand-alone entity and its board members are unpaid.
Chandler asked commissioners to delay the appointments until Austin can further research the issue. Austin agreed, saying the county has time to address the appointments at its next meeting.
“I think it would not, I’m not disagreeing with Mr. Chandler or whatever, but I also think it’s good to have a mix of the county legislative body as well as the general public and spread them out through the county,” Austin said.
Commissioners expect to revisit the appointments next month after Austin researches the board structure and the county’s options for filling its five seats.