(KLZA)-- Following a discussion Tuesday morning with members of the Southeast Nebraska Communications 911 Center in Beatrice and James Almond with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Richardson County Commissioners confirmed they will move forward with having 911 calls in Richardson County, outside of the City limits of Falls City, go to the dispatch center in Beatrice. 

Third District Commissioner Rick Karas asked for clarification following what he had heard the Public Service Commission told Falls City officials about 911 dispatching including possible near future mandates on having multiple 911 dispatchers on duty at all times as well as an expected push for regional dispatching. 

  Almond told the Board that he knows of no such forthcoming mandates.

Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang who is in charge of the Southeast Communications 911 Center said there is a difference on where he believes the regulations are going, and new laws being implemented.  Lang said he feels there will be new regulations implementing requirements that will push to that conclusion.

Richardson County has signed a three-year contract with the Southeast Communications 911 Center to provide dispatching services.  The cost for year one, is $180,000.  

The  County can break the contract by giving 60 days notice. 

Following the discussion, Commissioners said they will honor the contract. 

Lang said while there will be glitches along the way, but he feels everything will work out. He said the hope is to make the change as seamless as possible and that there are good communications between those involved. 

Falls City Police Chief Jamie Baker was in attendance.  He said he has developed a scenario where the City and County could combine dispatching into one location and split the costs which he believes the City would approve.

Baker said no matter what the County decided, the City will continue to operate a Public Service Answering Point for 911  in Falls City and will be making necessary upgrades to equipment and personnel if necessary..  

Commissioner John Caverzagie did say the site to build a radio tower for 911 has been selected.  It appears it will be a two – three month process to get the tower in place.