DeKalb 911 Operators Understaffed, Underpaid, Overworked, Commissioner Says

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A DeKalb County Commissioner says the county should be spending more money on the county’s 911 operators instead of creating incentives packages for Atlanta United FC’s new soccer training complex.

The county wants to hire a dozen more operators, but Commissioner Nancy Jester says the low pay and long hiring process leaves the county with few new hires, as candidates often find better paying jobs during the several months it takes to become qualified for the 911 operator position.

DeKalb’s 911 operators are working 12 hour shifts plus overtime to keep the office staffed at all times, Jester told WSB-TV.

Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May says he agrees that operators are not paid well enough, but argued that the issue was not funding but a high attrition rate. The county is conducting a study to discover what salary to pay its 911 operators.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County will spend $7 million for office space and $5 million for land preparation as part of the deal to bring Atlanta United FC’s training facility to the Memorial Drive corridor. The county is responsible for demolishing “existing buildings that are no longer useful county assets,” as well as other land prep work.

The soccer club will pay no property tax on the complex for 30 years, but will pay the county 15 percent of revenue gained by selling the naming rights to the complex and will surrender the entire complex back to the county in 30 years time. County residents will be allowed to use the soccer fields and soccer stadium on a periodic basis.