Permanently providing Union County with emergency communications services will require that Wayne County hire an additional dispatcher.
Matthew Cain, the director of Wayne County Emergency Communications, told the county commissioners during their Sept. 9 meeting that the increased workload of a permanent consolidation necessitates an extra dispatcher during busy times. He envisions 10-hour shifts Tuesday through Friday to handle the call volume.
Cain said the county currently employs 16 full-time emergency communications specialists, and the new hire would add a 17th. Commissioner Brad Dwenger asked if Cain should also request a part-time position while consolidation negotiations continue. With two part-time positions currently open, Cain opted to request just the full-time position.
Wayne County has been handling Union County’s emergency communications 24/7 after Union County lost all of its dispatchers. While working under a temporary agreement, the counties and Liberty are finalizing a 15-month interlocal agreement for the consolidated services. Union County and Liberty would pay Wayne County more than enough to cover a new employee’s salary and benefits, Cain said.
Commissioner Aaron Roberts said Union County and Liberty understand the cost could increase after the 15-month period and they’ve been appreciative of Wayne County’s efforts assuming emergency communications responsibilities.
With the commissioners’ support, Cain will now take his request to Wayne County Council’s personnel committee.
Cain also said that the 911 center has installed its new recording system that provides better audio quality for recordings of calls. Cain also expects a go-live date this month for volunteer fire departments transitioning to the new 800 megahertz radio system. The two new communications towers are operational.
Bridge projects
Brandon Sanders, the county’s engineer, received commissioner permission to apply for state Community Crossings funds for two bridge projects.
The county is required to provide half the funding to replace the decks on a Clyde Oler Road bridge and a Robinson Road bridge. The Clyde Oler project is estimated at $260,000 and the Robinson project at $350,000. The county will request $130,000 in Community Crossings money for Clyde Oler and $175,000 for Robinson Road.
Sanders said recent rains and flood conditions delayed progress on the Bridge Avenue and Richmond Avenue bridge projects. He now expects both to be completed around the end of October or beginning of November.
Other issues
- The monthly food pantry for veterans will be 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Circle U Help Center, 19 N. 13th St., according to Veterans Services Officer Michele Padgette.
- Commissioners approved the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office donating surplus equipment to Richmond Police Department. Major Alan Moore said RPD expressed interest in unused equipment that’s been stored in a sheriff’s department garage.
- Commissioners approved a driveway request on Capitol Hill Road north of Cambridge City.
- Commissioners approved a $7,000 contract with HWC Engineering to compile housing and building data for a newly required state report due this year.
- Commissioners voted to cancel their Sept. 23 meeting because of an Association of Indiana Counties conference conflict.
A version of this article appeared in the September 16 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
