Lawrence County officials are moving forward with a proposal that could consolidate emergency dispatch services with the City of Spearfish.
Sheriff Brian Dean says Spearfish and the county are currently the last in South Dakota to operate separate 911 call centers within the same county. A formal proposal is expected to be presented at a July 30 budget workshop, with possible implementation as early as 2027.
Dean says the consolidation would require additional staffing, bringing the total to 14 full-time dispatchers, along with resolving issues like pay differences, equipment costs, and public support.
If approved, officials say the plan could reduce duplication of services and bring significant cost savings—particularly for Spearfish taxpayers—while improving efficiency for emergency response across the county.
