Communications staff told the committee they hired two dispatchers — one already training and the other beginning Oct. 20 — and that the communications center is working with area school districts to obtain access to school cameras. Staff said access currently covers Hayward Community and the Hazel school districts.

Staff also reported weekly project updates with Gencom on the county radio system. Separately, communications and emergency-management staff described a funding lapse in the 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). According to staff, the current grant award did not provide funding for the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025, a substantive deviation from the original notice of funding. Staff said the EMPG supports emergency-management positions and activities and encouraged contacting legislators about the hardship created by the gap.

Communications staff announced a mass-casualty incident response training for emergency responders scheduled for Jan. 17 at the Stone Lake Fire Hall.

No committee action was required: items were presented for information and to guide follow-up planning.