A public meeting is scheduled to discuss the findings of a feasibility study on consolidating the Mansfield and Richland County 9-1-1 dispatching centers.

The next step would be the formation of a 9-1-1 Technical Advisory Commitee to develop plans and cost estimates for the consolidation.

Then the commissioners, city and village councils, and township trustees must vote on the plan.

It must be approved by local governments representing 60% of the county's population, including the commissioners and Mansfield City Council.

Commissioner Ed Olson says this process could take up to two years. 

The feasibility study projects a cost savings of $120,000 for Mansfield and Richland County to combine their dispatching centers.

If the Shelby, Ontario, and Lexington police departments join the consolidation, the savings would increase by several hundred thousand dollars.

There would be more savings by having to buy modern-day dispatching equipment only once.

The public meeting is Monday January 28th at six pm at the Longview Center at 1495 West Longview Avenue in Mansfield.