ANDERSON — After months of discussion and negotiations with Madison County officials, the Anderson City Council unanimously approved the consolidation of dispatch center services.

Following a brief caucus by the Democrats on the city council Friday, the ordinance passed the final two readings.

It was immediately signed into effect by the council members and Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith.

The consolidation takes place on Jan. 1.

The changes in the agreement ranged from the dispatchers' pay rate, effective date, appointments to the controlling board and benefits received by city employees that will become Madison County employees at the start of the year.

The Anderson Board of Public Safety unanimously approved the new language amended into the inter-local agreement on Thursday.

From the start, Jason Fenwick, Anderson city controller, said the city would see a savings of $300,000 by participating in the consolidation and could be looking at an additional $450,000 in costs by not joining.

Fenwick said the city didn’t have the additional funds and not approving the consolidation could result in a loss of public safety jobs.

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