A proposed tax levy that would change how 911 dispatchers are funded in Jefferson County has been put on hold.

The dispatchers are Fairfield city employees with salaries and benefits paid for by the city which has an agreement with the county to pay for the 911 equipment and building. The city claims its residents are “paying double” for their share through city and county taxes. County Attorney Chauncey Moulding says the city wants to see the 911 personnel costs be spread more evenly throughout the county’s other municipalities, “The city raises the point that they are only approximately 60 percent of the county’s residents, but they’re paying 100 percent of the bill. So they are unhappy with present cost distribution.”

The county’s emergency management commission met this week to vote on a levy that would change the 911 funding arrangement, but Moulding says the vote was tabled after several mayors of the smaller towns were concerned with how fast the proposal was being moved along, because, if approved, the tax would begin July 1. Moulding says the commission decided the issue required more time to consider and will likely come up for vote at the commission’s next meeting in February.

Moulding says regardless of the outcome of the 911 funding arrangement, he says county residents are assured 911 emergency service will be available, “Obviously, 911 communications are a critical service and they will be continued to be provided. When you dial 911 in Jefferson County someone will respond.”

In other business, Jefferson County Board of Supervisors Chair Dee Sandquist was voted unanimously as the new chair of the commission.