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Falls City Council Approves Agreements on Water Tower, Dispatching

By Matthew Leaf

02/07/2012

The Falls City, City Council, Monday night approved a recommendation from the Board of Public Works for the city to enter into an agreement with Utility Service Company for an annual maintenance contract.
The 11-year contract totals $582,635 and provides for annual maintenance for the elevated storage tank and the two ground storage tanks, as well as upgrades to, and painting of, the elevated tank. The annual breakdown of the contract calls for higher payments, totaling $80,680, each of the first five years. Utility Superintendent Alan Romine explained what that entails. (play audio :40)
Romine said the interior and exterior of the elevated tank would be inspected, and needed maintenance would be done, annually.
The Council also approved an updated agreement between the city and Richardson County for dispatching services. The agreement replaces the old agreement, which expired last July 1st, and includes changes that have been approved by the Richardson County Board. Sheriff Randy Houser explained the changes, which call for Falls City to take over all dispatching in the county. (play audio :46)
Houser said having the city handle all dispatching would be a better situation for the Sheriff’s Department, with the jail running at near capacity of 15 inmates. (play audio :43)
Sheriff Houser said no Sheriff’s Department dispatchers will lose their jobs as a result of the change, but will become jailers. The change will necessitate moving the 2479 and 2470 phone lines from the Sheriff’s Department to the Police Department. The agreement was approved retroactive to July 1, 2011.
In other business, the City Council passed a resolution to approve a contract between the city and Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a $250,000 CDBG Housing Grant.
And Fourth Ward Councilman Brad Campbell informed the council that he has purchased a house outside of the Fourth Ward and will be resigning his seat on the council, effective in May or June.

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