SIDNEY -- The Sidney City Council agreed to a proposed reapportioning of the percent of support each entity provides the Cheyenne County Emergency Communications Center (CCECC).

In the June 27 Sidney City Council meeting, City Manager David Scott explained the cost share between the City, Cheyenne County and Deuel County. The agreement with the Communications Center includes a review every two years. In 2019, the City, Cheyenne County and Deuel County signed an interlocal agreement for emergency communication services. 

The Communications Center Authority Board met June 9 and recommended that the percentage for Deuel County be increased from 6 percent to 10 percent. Likewise, the City's share would reduce from 61.08 percent to 55 percent, and Cheyenne County's share would change from 32.92 percent to 35 percent. 

According to Scott's memo, when Deuel County entered the agreement in 2019, call volume was unknown and their cost share was 5 percent. Two years later, it was discovered their share should be 10 percent, but they could only afford 6 percent at the time. Deuel County is willing to pay 10 percent, according to Scott's memo.

The City will save about 6 percent with the reapportioned percentages. However, there are additional costs with moving the transportation dispatch from CCECC, costs Scott says should be covered by State and Federal reimbursements.