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Kerr County to terminate Ingram dispatch ILA, offers $29,000-a-year renewal with annual 5% increase
Summary
After finding the county provides substantially more dispatch coverage than the 2018 interlocal agreement anticipated, Kerr County’s court voted to give the City of Ingram notice of termination and to offer renegotiation at $29,000 per year with 5% annual increases; the court instructed staff to draft a 30-day termination/offer letter.
Kerr County’s commissioners voted July 13 to terminate the 2018 interlocal agreement (ILA) with the City of Ingram that provides radio dispatch services and to offer renegotiation at a higher rate.
Sheriff’s Office leaders told the court the 2018 deal expected part-time coverage from Ingram but the county has provided nearly full-time dispatching for several years while the contract rate remained low. The sheriff outlined increases in staffing and maintenance costs since 2018 and noted current dispatchers’ total compensation has risen substantially.
After review of labor and service-hour increases, county staff recommended offering a renewal at $29,000 per year with an annual 5% escalation and using the contract termination mechanism (30 days’ notice) to prompt renegotiation. County finance staff and the sheriff explained their $29,000 figure as a conservative starting point that approximates a one-third share of a dispatcher salary and urged an annual review clause be written into any new ILA.
Commissioners expressed concern about abruptly ending services and asked staff to include language that allows the city options (stay under new contract terms, provide its own dispatch, or seek other arrangements) and to avoid disrupting public safety. The court voted unanimously to terminate the existing agreement and direct staff to offer the revised terms while giving Ingram time to respond.
County officials said if Ingram rejects the new terms the county will follow the contract’s notice period and work to avoid service interruptions while negotiating a longer-term arrangement.
