The Daily Dispatch

Wilkin County commissioners approved Tuesday a $25,000 study that will help determine if the county's dispatch system can later be regionalized.

The state of Minnesota is pushing for 10 counties each to share one Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), but Wilkin County Sheriff Tom Matejka is pushing for two - one in Fergus Falls, Minn., and Alexandria. In the event of an emergency, an electronic message would be sent to an officer’s laptop computer.

Ten counties have already committed to the study, which is a state-funded initiative helmed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Matejka said he didn't want commissioners to hesitate approval.

"If we don't go with this plan, and there's $25,000 available, and they end up mandating it but don't have the [money], it might come out of our pockets to do the study," he said.

He's also concerned about the possible loss of six Wilkin County dispatchers who also act as part time jailers. For example, if the county has no dispatchers, or only one that works from 8 a.m to 4 p.m., no one would be available to open the doors, he said. The county would be forced to hire more jailers.

"So what kind of savings is that for Wilkin County? We'll still have to pay for dispatchers," he said.

County law enforcement may already have enough funding issues on its plate - a potential $500,000 switch to digital bandwidth and a $111,000 emergency system. Matejka said he has enough banked to cover the bid for the 911 system, but administration will have to apply for grants to cover the other one. He estimates the full cost will be known by the end of the year.

"I think the counties will still probably pay a portion there, for whatever the sum comes up to be," he said. "It's coming all of a sudden...it's just like they want to pile everything on top of everybody, and everybody sees the price tag. How can we afford this?"

In other business:

• Two individuals have expressed interest in the county's volunteer retirement program.

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