Chase County commissioners vote to notify Imperial of planned dispatch fee increase to $100,000

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.