By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – The City of Trussville has decided to change direction on plans to merge emergency dispatch services with Jefferson County. The decision comes after the proposal was announced in November sparking protests from some city residents.
“We had made that decision and ran it by the finance committee,” said Mayor Buddy Choat. “We had planned to start Feb. 1, but decided not to do that and will keep dispatch services in-house.”
News on the decision first came to the attention of The Trussville Tribune after both Trussville and Clay proposed resolutions to officially rename Chalkville Mountain Road back to Chalkville Mountain Road. The road was renamed Chalkville Road on emergency response maps a few years ago.
According to Clay City Manager Ronnie Dixon, the resolutions to rename the road were requested by Jefferson County. He said the 911 maps were causing confusion with first responders and even complicating mail delivery.
Rumors of the possible change began to circulate earlier this fall and a petition on change.org began to circulate around the city, gaining more than 500 signatures. The petition was started on Oct. 24, and gained 597 signatures.
A group of concerned citizens addressed the City Council and Mayor Choat at its Nov. 14 meeting, after the plans to move the service were announced in local and statewide media. At the meeting, the Council was presented with a copy of the petition asking them to reconsider the decision and expressing fear that response times might be impacted and endanger lives.
Trussville Fire and Rescue Department moved to Jefferson County’s 911 system four years ago. Trussville Fire Chief Tim Shotts said the move improved response times.
According to City Council member Perry Cook, the Council never took an official vote on moving the services but had detailed the savings in the city budget. Cook acknowledged the city had received some opposition to the decision when it was announced but added the change of direction was not due to the complaints.
“We had the savings outlined in the budget but after more discussion we decided to leave things the way they are for now,” Cook said.
In November, Mayor Choat said the move would have saved the city “at least half a million dollars,” which would have been distributed across other departments.