PSAP board to look for new director

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

MONTROSE - After officially accepting the resignation of LeeComm director Diana Fincher-Smith, the Public Service Answering Point Control board decided to start discussing her replacement at its June meeting in Keokuk.

At its regular board meeting on Wednesday, the board voted 5-0 to accept the resignation of Fincher-Smith effective May 10. The board paid Fincher-Smith a severance package as part of the separation, or release, agreement.

"I don't know the exact dollar amount, the board agreed on three months salary and three months insurance," said Dave Hinton. "Its unusual for us, but what we've come to understand is that it's normal and an industry standard for this type of position."

Hinton said in the interim, administrative dispatcher Marla Hemmie will be handling the department.

"If she needs any guidance she's to ask the sheriffs since they're in the same building and then with me as the second point of contact as the chair. At the next meeting we'll be discussing how we move forward on the application process.

In other action, the board approved a $25,000 increase in the budget for current overtime expenses and legal expenses within the department. There were some overages in overtime and some legal expenses. The funds will come from reserve departmental funds.

The next meeting was set for June 8 in Keokuk.