Algood Considers City Dispatching

The City of Algood will look at conducting its own dispatching service.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office currently conducts dispatching for Algood, Monterey and Baxter.

Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison said several citizens have complained about the service.

“You’ve got the sheriff’s office sharing a channel with Algood, Monterey and Baxter, so that adds a lot of traffic to one channel,” Morrison said. “I know we’ve had several complaints that people feel like we should have someone here, in the building, that they can come in and talk to and call when they need something,”

Morrison told city council members last week that the city has the capability of providing the service.

“That is an option, it just depends on what level of service you all want to fund it to and how many hours a day you want it operational,” Morrison said. “If it comes back here, that could cover water, storms, and if they need public works there would be a number they could call and talk to here at the facility.”

Public Works Director Victor Jones said the service would be a benefit for residents.

“On the weekends when people have water problems and stuff like that, if they have somebody there, then they can dispatch us quicker,” Jones said.

Morrison said the operation would cost an estimated $100,000 a year in payroll alone.