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Chase County commissioners vote to notify Imperial of planned dispatch fee increase to $100,000
Summary
The Chase County Board voted May 28 to send a letter to the City of Imperial notifying it that the county will raise its annual dispatch fee to $100,000 beginning March 1, 2025, with a 5% yearly increase; the Sheriff cited monthly operating costs and recent upgrade expenses as the rationale.
Chase County commissioners voted May 28 to send the City of Imperial a formal notice that the county intends to raise its annual charge for dispatch services to $100,000, effective March 1, 2025, with a 5% annual increase thereafter.
Sheriff Mueller told the board the county currently spends about $34,000 per month to operate the county Dispatch Center and that the county incurred roughly $180,000 last year in necessary upgrades that were not shared by the city. The Sheriff proposed raising the City of Imperial’s annual contribution to between $80,000 and $100,000 so the city would pay about 25% of operating costs.
Commissioner Jacci Brown moved that a letter be sent to the City of Imperial notifying it the fee for dispatch services provided by Chase County will increase to $100,000 per year, with a 5% annual increase beginning March 1, 2025. Commissioner Billie Muehlenkamp seconded the motion; Commissioners Muehlenkamp, Brown and Kurt Bernhardt voted yes and the motion carried.
Why it matters: the change would shift more of the Dispatch Center’s operating costs to the city and could affect city budgeting for municipal services. The board’s action was a directive to send notice; the transcript records no follow-up agreement from the City of Imperial in this meeting.
Next steps: the county will send the letter notifying the City of Imperial of the change in fee; the board did not record a new interlocal agreement at the meeting.
