CRYSTAL FALLS — Iron County will look to hire three full-time employees to fill vacancies in central dispatch after the board approved posting the jobs.

The job postings come as Iron County Central Dispatch Director Ashley Schmidt informed the board Tuesday that central dispatch was losing another employee, this time due to uncertainty about the future of the department. Schmidt did say one part-time employee was moving to full-time.

At a May 23 special meeting the board voted to seek requests for proposals to have 911 services handled by outside sources despite saying it was committed to keeping the service local.

“I know that we are really getting into a critical situation,” Board Chairman Mark Stauber said. “As a board we are really concerned.”

Even with the job postings, the board still wants proposals for outside 911 service, county officials later said.

During public comments at Tuesday’s meeting, Becky Ahola said that outsourcing 911 raises significant concerns for the communities, noting a recent vote had 2,286 in favor of keeping the service within the county.

“Their expertise and professionalism are invaluable in coordinating timely responses for our police, fire and other emergency services,” Ahola said.

Adam Ahola also noted local 911 dispatchers’ familiarity with local landmarks as a reason for keeping the service.

In other business, the board:

— Took no action but will have the county look into charging for Law Enforcement Information Network, or LIEN, services dispatch does for local municipalities. LIEN gives all police officers access to information about arrest warrants, personal protection orders, bond and probation orders and conditions, and parole orders.

The county now does not charge for the service, but Stauber said, “If we are doing a service for somebody, we should be charging them.”

Civil Counsel Steve Tinti said if the board is going to move in that direction, letters should be sent out outlining services and give municipalities the option of paying or doing that work themselves.

— Set a special meeting for this morning on dispatch employees being maxed out on their personal time-off accrual.

Stauber said he looked into it and the situation only exists with one employee who is under a union contract, so there is not much that can be done at this time. Schmidt said she also is at the maximum and requested the hours she accumulates be transferred into her pension.

The special meeting will be at 8 a.m. today and, in addition to the PTO issue, will discuss trial court staffing and the facilities and parks supervisor position.

— Authorized the Iron County Housing Commission’s Pleasant Valley Apartments in Crystal Falls becoming a limited liability corporation owned solely by the housing commission. It’s part of the commission’s move to receive funding through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration. Pleasant Valley Apartments has 43 bedroom units with rents based on income.