(Published Friday, Nov. 20 2009) MUNCIE — Delaware County is considering a plan that would put the ailing 911 advisory board out of its misery.

Tim Hutson, the county’s chief of emergency services, suggested to commissioners this week that they dissolve the 911 advisory board and have the Emergency Management Advisory Council assume its responsibilities.

Some of the duties of the boards already overlap, Hutson said, questioning whether a 911 advisory board was necessary.

“I’m not a big fan of having boards to have boards,” Hutson told The Star Press afterward.

The 911 advisory board, formally known as the Delaware County Communications Center Board, was created in 2005, when Republicans were in charge of the commissioners office. The board is comprised of five members that represent both city and county government.

According to the establishing ordinance, the 911 board’s duties included preparing an annual budget for the 911 center, establishing policy for the 911 center and hiring a director and assistant director for the 911 center.

The commissioners this summer voted to change the ordinance, putting themselves in charge of hiring a new 911 director after former director Bill Gosnell retired.

The move angered Mayor Sharon McShurley, who argued that Muncie should have a say in the hiring given that it contributes $854,000 annually for the dispatch center’s operation, about half its yearly operating expense.

Hutson said the commissioners should consider dissolving the board and moving its duties under EMAC before replacing any of the resigned members.

Hutson said eliminating the 911 board might improve relations between city and county government.

The board consists of 18 members, including the city police chief, the city fire chief and Mayor McShurley herself.