A funding shift will help Schuylkill County’s short staffed emergency dispatchers not to have to worry about overtime pay.

Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to allow the 911 Communications Center to move $92,000 from one line item to another to pay for the extra hours dispatchers have been working.

Known as a budget adjustment, the move was presented by county Finance Director Paul E. Buber.

The shift does not allocate more money from the general fund; instead, it reallocates funds already in the center’s budget.

911 Director Scott Krater told commissioners he’s “budgeted for a full staff of personnel, but we’re not having a full staff of personnel.”

He said he hopes the reallocated money will stretch to meet overtime needs.

Now, there are 17 dispatchers doing the work of 25, he said.

The center, in Pottsville, has been advertising for dispatchers, also known as telecommunications. Dispatchers start at $15.50 an hour, and get a dollar more once they finish training.