The Mandan City Commission on Tuesday lent its support for merging its emergency communication system and dispatch staff with Morton County's operations.

The action came at the urging of Police Chief Dennis Bullinger. He said the matter has been researched in recent years by himself and other local emergency officals.

He said because of a pay difference, it was recommended a three-year transition be allowed for the employees moving from city to county workers.

He asked that the city give its support for the merger.

Emergency officials will now work out details of the 2009 budget and draft a finalized memorandum of understanding for both Morton County and the city of Mandan to approve.

Bullinger said it will save the city $93,400 for one employee. He said the switch will allow cross-training of the staff. "It will make it much easier for planning scheduling," Bullinger said.

"It will a lot easier to fill that 24-7," Bullinger commented after the meeting. "We'll have 12 people versus having six; it will help take care of scheduling."

Bullinger said this does not mean the number of dispatchers will be scaled down.

"They will be doing the same service for the city and county - helping safety," he said.

When asked about further changes for the city and county, he said there is a need to look at upgrading equipment for the 911 communications systems.

He said that effort is in progress through Morton County Emergency Manager Tammy Lapp Harris. "She is doing that through funds with the 911. … There's been discussion to move the communication center out to another part of the building. Right now, they are in the center of the jail. … Right now, we have one center and two different entities in there - city and county."

Bullinger predicted that the budget details would be a simple manner. He said he expects to come back and ask that the merger be completed by the city accepting the memorandum of agreement.