by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an agreement between the City and Lee County relating to consolidating emergency dispatching services. This is an efficiency and cost-saving matter, and an estimated $299,000 savings to the City is expected in 2026 and going forward.
Sanibel dispatchers will all be offered positions with Lee County, some at an increased rate of pay.
“This is another example of how we can work with Lee County and make good decisions for everybody,” said Mayor Richard Johnson. He stressed that this is in no way a precursor to any merger at any time of the Sanibel Police with Lee County.
The Sanibel Police Department communications operations have relocated to Lee County’s Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) on Ortiz Avenue during recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The operations remained at the EDC following Milton.
The experience demonstrated the efficiency and cost savings of locating the communications operations together as well as supporting the community’s resiliency initiatives.
All employees of the Sanibel Police Department’s existing communications operations will be offered positions within Public Safety, many with a salary increase. Lee County and the City of Sanibel will work together for a seamless transition of staffing and operations over to public safety no later than March 31.
“This partnership allows for additional resiliency within our emergency communications systems after a storm and also dovetails nicely with the timing of the opening of our expanded Emergency Operations Center, which will be called the Public Safety Center,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Kevin Ruane, whose district includes Sanibel Island and who spearheaded the Resilient Lee Task Force following Hurricane Ian. “This consolidation of communications personnel and operations also is an example of governments joining together to create efficiencies that benefit taxpayers.”
All Public Safety staff in the Division of Emergency Communications, which now dispatch fire and Emergency Medical Services, are certified in Emergency Police Dispatch and can use the Police Priority Dispatch System.
Later this spring, Lee County plans to open the new Public Safety Center at 2675 Ortiz Ave., which is the result of a 36,873 square-foot expansion of the existing Emergency Operations Center. The expanded facility will house new Emergency Communications Center, Public Safety Administration, and the Lee County Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center.
“Emergency dispatchers provide an incredible service to the community, and being able to offer that service as part of the County’s public safety team in a state-of-the-art facility will be a significant asset to our community. This partnership is cost- effective and efficient for the City and demonstrates the strong collaboration between our Board of County Commissioners and the Sanibel City Council, working together for the benefit of all,” said Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson.
Lee County Emergency Management will remain in its existing location.
When activated for an emergency such as a hurricane, the center will be staffed with key personnel from first-responder agencies, emergency relief organizations, county departments, municipalities, utility companies, and other essential agencies.
To accommodate the numerous personnel during activation, the new facility will be equipped with technology and equipment, numerous restrooms, showers and sleeping accommodations, and additional amenities to contribute to the building’s efficiency and operational requirements. The facility will also feature an extensive training facility to help prepare staff for activations.
The estimated $29 million project is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and State Appropriation Funds with key support from Lee County’s legislative delegation.
The interlocal agreement approved Tuesday sets terms and conditions of the consolidation, including compensation to the County for the continuing operation of Sanibel Police Department communications and outlines the responsibilities of each party. The motion includes creating three new positions in Lee County Emergency Communications to manage this additional workload, with the balance being handled by existing staff. The City of Sanibel will pay for the cost of these additional positions under this agreement, including benefits. The current year amount is $138,336 and is prorated for the fiscal year based on an anticipated start date of April 1, 2025.
Leave a Comment