COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – With Branch County 911 Central Dispatch facing the possibility of being down to six dispatchers with the departure of a Supervisor, the Branch County Board of Commissioners approved a request to bring back a former dispatcher on a temporary basis during their regular meeting Tuesday.
Since it was not on the agenda, the Commissioners suspended board rules and hired Denny Braucker as a temporary employee for no more than 160 calendar days at a rate of $22.53 per hour with no benefits.
Commissioner Terri Norris made the motion to approve the immediate temporary hiring and said the 911 department was desperate for the help.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman pointed out 911 hopes to bring on three new employees in the coming weeks who will have go through training. Norman said a new employee processed through payroll on Tuesday.
Central Dispatch Supervisor Christine Bennett is leaving 911 after accepting the felony clerk position in the Prosecutor’s Office. It’s the third time since last fall that Central Dispatch has lost dispatchers to other positions in county government, either for better pay or more stable hours.
