FALLS CITY - Richardson County commissioners are considering renewal of the 911 contract with Southeast Communications Center at Beatrice.

Draft minutes of the county board’s Sept. 6 meeting, say Commissioner Rick Karas and Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the Beatrice city administrator and chief of police regarding terms to renew the 911 contract in August of 2024. The county expects the cost to nearly double the current amount.

The minutes say Sheriff Hardesty is recommending providing the City of Beatrice with notice that Richardson County will not renew the contract. The board is expected to resume the discussion at its meeting next Wednesday.

In other action, Sheriff Hardesty reports that Deputy Roland Merwin has announced his retirement. His last day will be Sept. 15.

The sheriff said, in grant period that ended after the Labor Day weekend, there were 480 traffic stops and 22 arrests.

The county board is also considering a policy that all new hires "in all county departments" will need county board approval.