(KLZA)-- Richardson County Third District Commissioner Rick Karas reported during the September 6 Board meeting, that he and Sheriff Rick Hardesty had met with the Beatrice City Administrator and Chief of Police regarding terms for renewing the 911 dispatching services contract in August of 2024.

The Beatrice representatives indicated that providing the service to Richardson County would require an increase in the conract rate, which was quoted at almost double the current amount. For the current contract year that runs through July 31, 2024, Richardson County is paying $190 thousand for the dispatching service.

The Richardson County officials requested another meeting to negotiate the costs but said they have not received return calls or correspondence.

Sheriff Hardesty recommended Richardson County provide notice to the City of Beatrice that the county will not be renewing the contract. Commissioners will consider the recommendation further during their meeting Wednesday.

James Allman with the Nebraska Public Service Commission attended the Commissioners meeting to review the services provided by Southeast Communications Center 911 in Beatrice.

Wednesday evening, during the Falls City Council meeting, City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum told the Council that Richardson County had requested preliminary cost estiamtes for the City to perform 9 1 1 dispatcing for Richardson County, utilizing the Falls City Police Department dispatchers.

Nussbaum said he expects to provide a preliminary interlocal agreement to the Council in the near future.

No action was taken by either entity concerning 9 1 1 dispatching in the future.