1. A. There is hereby established the Communications Division within the Department of Public Safety. This division shall be divided into a Dispatchers Bureau and a Technicians Bureau and such other bureaus as the Commissioner may direct.
2. B. Before the Department of Public Safety may add or change any communication site or dispatch office, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall submit a plan for approval by the Legislature.

3. C.

   1. 1. Effective January 1, 1999, the annual salaries for the positions of Director, Coordinator, Superintendent, Supervisor and Dispatcher within the Communications Division shall be in accordance and conformity with the following salary schedule and as prescribed by paragraph 2 of this subsection, exclusive of longevity pay, as authorized by Section, 840-2.18 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, expense allowance, as authorized by Section 2-130 of this title, and irregular shift pay, as authorized by Section 2-130.1 of this title:

      Communications Director $45,215.00 Communications Coordinator $41,105.00 Communications Superintendent $37,368.00 Communications Supervisor $33,971.00 Communications Dispatcher Step 1 $22,404.00 Step 2 $22,964.00 Step 3 $23,538.00 Step 4 $24,126.00 Step 5 $24,729.00 Step 6 $25,347.00 Step 7 $25,981.00 Step 8 $26,631.00 Step 9 $27,297.00 Step 10 $27,979.00 Step 11 $28,678.00 Step 12 $29,395.00 Step 13 $30,130.00 Step 14 $30,883.00

   2. 2. On January 1, 1999, each Communications Dispatcher shall be assigned and the salary of such Dispatcher shall be adjusted to the salary schedule provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection. Such initial adjustment of salaries shall be to the step which number corresponds to the number of completed years of service such Dispatcher has accumulated in the Communications Division of the Department of Public Safety. Provided, however, no such Dispatcher shall receive less than the salary the Dispatcher was receiving on December 31, 1998. If the number of completed years of service of such Dispatcher exceeds fourteen (14) years on January 1, 1999, then said Dispatcher shall be assigned to, and the salary of such Dispatcher shall be adjusted to, Step 14 of said salary schedule.

   3. 3. After January 1, 1999, each Communications Dispatcher shall receive upon the anniversary date of such Dispatcher an annual salary increase to the next higher step of the salary schedule provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection if such Dispatcher, within the preceding twelve-month period:

      1. a. has achieved a satisfactory Performance Rating Score,
      2. b. has not received any disciplinary action which has resulted in any, suspension from the Department for a period of ten (10) or more days, and
      3. c. has not received any disciplinary action which has resulted in demotion.

   4. 4. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this subsection, in any twelve-month period no Dispatcher shall receive:

      1. a. a salary increase which exceeds an increase to the next higher step of the salary schedule provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection, or.

      2. b. more than one such salary increase to the step of the salary schedule provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection, unless salary increases are authorized by the Legislature.

         Provided, however, such Dispatcher shall receive the salary increase which results from a promotion to another position within the Communications Division.

   5. 5. The steps prescribed for the position of Communications Dispatcher in the salary schedule provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection are for salary and compensation purposes only. No Communications Dispatcher shall be reassigned to another such step of said salary schedule for the purposes of demotion, discipline, promotion, incentive, reward or for any other reason other than the salary increase provided for in paragraph 2, 3 or 4 of this subsection.
   6. 6. The provisions of this subsection shall supersede all existing laws covering the salaries for the positions in the Communications Division of the Department of Public Safety, as set out in this subsection.

Laws 1998, HB 3160, c. 245, § 8, emerg. eff. July 1, 1998.