Frankfort and Franklin County Move to Rewrite 1991 Dispatch Agreement
Thirty-five years ago, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” topped the box office, Nirvana released “Nevermind,” and the Sega Genesis dominated living rooms with “Sonic the Hedgehog.” That same year, 1991, marked the last time the City of Frankfort Board of Commissioners and the Franklin County Fiscal Court updated their interlocal cooperation agreement for 911 dispatch services.
City leaders are now working to change that.
The Frankfort Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an updated interlocal agreement and a supporting resolution, state-journal.com reported. The agreement now moves to the Franklin County Fiscal Court for review and approval.
“Most of our interlocals will not go past 20 years or should not. That’s kind of a general thing,” City Solicitor Laura Milam told the board during a Monday meeting, adding that state interlocal acts and regulatory requirements have changed.
The Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency 911 Dispatch Center handles calls for service and dispatches personnel for animal control, emergency management, city fire and emergency medical services, city police, county fire and emergency medical services, and the sheriff’s office.
County Will Fund More Operational Costs After July 1
Under the existing interlocal arrangement, the city collects revenue from state Commercial Mobile Radio Service fees alongside a $1 per month landline fee. The remaining operational costs are split unevenly, with the city covering 75% and the county funding the remaining 25%.
The newly proposed agreement adjusts that financial burden. Funding splits will remain at 75% city and 25% county until July 1. After that date, the cost distribution shifts to a more balanced 55% city-funded and 45% county-funded model.
The updated pact also establishes a formal oversight body.
“We’re establishing an advisory board made of staff and also elected officials from city and county that will serve in an advisory capacity and bring ideas and better ways to operate 911 services back to both bodies for approval,” City Manager Jason Monroe stated.
The newly created Joint Frankfort-Franklin County Emergency Communications Service Board will consist of seven voting members and three ex-officio, non-voting members.
Voting positions include the sheriff or a designated representative from the FCSO, the chief of police or a designee, a joint appointment by the mayor and judge-executive serving a term of two years up to three consecutive terms, one city commissioner, one magistrate, the city fire chief or a designee, and the county fire chief or a designee. The mayor, judge-executive, and the director of Emergency Management will serve in non-voting, ex-officio capacities.
Responsibilities for the new board include adopting an annual budget for government approval, submitting annual reports on service utilization, filing quarterly financial statements, and maintaining operational records for equipment and expenditures.
City Retains Responsibility for Daily Dispatch Operations
While the new board handles budgetary oversight and administrative reporting, the city retains direct responsibility for daily dispatch operations. Under the terms, the city manages policy implementation, disaster planning, personnel hiring and supervision—including the 911 director—equipment purchasing, insurance, utility provisions, and grant applications.
Commissioner Leesa Unger asked the city solicitor what would happen if the county decides against entering into the updated agreement.
“That means that the existing interlocal continues to live on as it has, and we will still be subject to it in its terms. There will be no committee formed,” Milam responded.
The agreement now rests with the Franklin County Fiscal Court, which must review and OK the document for the structural changes to take effect.
