Does new offer revive regional 911 deal in Richardson County?

FALLS CITY – Price point remains an area of friction between Southeast Communications 911 Center and Richardson County as Beatrice Interim Police Chief Jay Murphy reached out to the county board regarding an upcoming contract renewal.

County commissioners earlier rejected a $170,000 increase that Murphy said was based on the number of calls for service from Beatrice police, Gage County, Richardson County and Crete.

Board Chairman John Caverzagie said the proposed $360,000 charge was too high and the county's overtures went unanswered.

Caverzagie: “Our problem was that no one would talk to us. We didn’t really butt heads, we just couldn’t get an answer.”

 

 

Murphy did not apologize, but suggested that temporary unresponsiveness might be due to a transition period for the police department. He said when he became director he realized the majority of Richardson County calls were for traffic stops, which have minimal dispatch communications.

Murphy: “I felt it’s unfair to charge you guys that amount of money per calls for service.”

He offered a $200,000 renewal.

Murphy: “Really, you guys, realistically, compared to everyone else we dispatch for, you’re at like half price.”

Caverzagie said Richardson County is paying its share.

Equipment has only recently been available to turn over 911 calls to the center in Beatrice. Caverzagie said the county’s contract since 2020 has paid for a service the county did not receive.

He said it is now possible for Southeast 911 to dispatch everything outside the Falls City city limits, but there are complications with Falls City Rescue serving villages outside of the city. 

Sheriff Rick Hardesty said the county built a $900,000 communications tower on recommendations to accommodate regional dispatching, but equipment needed in the villages is still not in place.

The county has had 132 911 calls dispatched through Falls City and transferred to Southeast Communications 911.