MATTOON - The Mattoon City Council approved 12-hour shifts for Mattoon police emergency dispatchers Tuesday as a stopgap measure due to staffing shortages.

The city is down to three full-time dispatchers with some leaving due to the uncertainty of radio dispatching continuing at the Mattoon Police Department, Deputy Police Chief Jeff Branson said.

A tentative agreement is being reviewed by city and Coles County 911 officials for having Mattoon emergency calls managed from the police department communications center at the corner of South 17th Street and Wabash Avenue, Branson explained.

"The agreement would have dispatching remain 24/7 at the department but under control of 911, but we need the 12-hour shifts now because we have three dispatchers remaining. This helps us do more with less for now," Branson said.

The city and 911 system officials must approve the agreement before the change in management for dispatching moves forward, but the vote Tuesday night means the change to 12-hour shifts can be implemented.

The city has the authorization from the city union covering police dispatchers to make the change. Patrol officers now conduct their daytime or nighttime shifts under a 12-hour schedule, Branson said.

The council also approved an outright grant agreement with Dr. Kenneth Myracle for reimbursing up to $65,505 from Broadway Avenue East Tax Increment Financing funds for extension of utility service, installation of underground storm water detention basins and obtaining easements for the project at 117 Holiday Drive.

Final approval came for improvement projects for the D to Z Sports, 1611 Broadway, and owned by Robert Reid, and two commercial buildings at 118 and 120 S. 17th Street, owned by Doug and Jeanne Vonderheide. The reimbursements from Midtown TIF revenues total $13,110 and $51,590 respectively for these projects.

hmeeker@jg-tc.com|238-6869