Having to walk down a hallway to a restroom may not be a big deal for some people, but it is for Jim Denney, director of Douglas County Emergency Communications.

Since the dispatch center, 111 E. 11th St., was renovated, dispatchers have had a longer walk to the facilities, putting them farther away from phones they use to dispatch emergency calls.

“We used to have a restroom right across the hall, which was important because it was just a short walk,” Denney said.

He is requesting that Douglas County commissioners approve construction of a restroom in a space next to the dispatch center.

The proposed project should cost about $16,000, based on an estimate provided by county maintenance director Bill Bell.

County Administrator Craig Weinaug said when the building was renovated in 2001 there was a plan for a restroom but it was cut from the project.

Denney said having the facility would mean a great deal in terms of operational efficiency and morale improvement.

“When dispatchers have to leave their console, it’s a concern,” he said. “They are out of the picture for that time. I have operators who are reluctant to use the facilities because they don’t feel like they can spend that much time away.”

Generally, about three people are working in the dispatch center at a time. Denney said if dispatchers left the room, they must brief another dispatcher on the type of activity and calls they have been handling. That takes time, Denney said.

“It can take several minutes,” he said. “But if the bathroom is very nearby, then that out-of-context time will be cut.”

Commissioners consider the request when they meet at 8:30 a.m. Monday in the commission chambers at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.