Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Lee County is one step closer to a consolidated E-9-1-1 dispatch center.

You'll recall right now Keokuk, Fort Madison and the Lee County Sheriff's Department all have separate dispatch centers for 911 calls.

Dispatchers in each facility have many responsibilities in addition to answering emergency calls.

For example the dispatcher at the Lee County Sheriff's Department answers emergency and non-emergency calls while monitoring jail inmates.

Sheriff Buck Jones says this type of multi-tasking can compromise residents' safety.

Monday leaders from Keokuk, Fort Madison and Lee County agreed to share the costs of consolidating their dispatch centers into the Lee County Sheriff's Department building.

Will this keep residents safer?

Sheriff Buck Jones said, "In my opinion yes. it will be much safer than what we have now. Once the consolidated dispatch center is up and running, dispatchers will have one duty and one duty only - to answer emergency calls."

The agreement will go before the Lee County Board of Supervisors and the city councils in both Fort Madison and Keokuk for approval in the coming months.

The percentage paid by each entity is as follows: 

Lee County 31.2%

Keokuk 30.1%

Fort Madison 30.1%

West Point 2.5%

Montrose 2.5%

Donnellson 2.5%

Franklin 0.4%

Houghton 0.4%

St. Paul 0.3%