Cleburn County names 911 director

The Cleburne County Commission again approved hiring a 911 director, but this time instead of creating a new job, the county will be handing some of the responsibilities to a current employee.

The new 911 director will be Cleburne County human resource officer Crystal Cavender.

The commissioners in February approved hiring a 911 director and in March rescinded that decision. Commissioner Laura Cobb brought up hiring for the position again at a commission work session a week ago, suggesting that the commission appoint one of the three senior communication officers as the new director.

County Administrator Steve Swafford suggested Cavender for the position. Cavender has bachelor’s degree in emergency management and is the chairwoman of the Senior Officer Committee which oversees 911 and Central Dispatch. Swafford also requested the commissioners approve an additional eight hours per weekfor a part-time commission clerk to take over some of the duties in human resources that Cavender would no longer be able to do.

Swafford said they were not creating a new job, they would be assigning new duties and responsibilities to an existing position.