IVANHOE — Lincoln County Sheriff Chad Meester briefed the Ivanhoe City Council on the possibility of contracting law enforcement services with the county on Monday.

Ivanhoe had previously been served by city Police Chief Matt Seigfried for 16 years until his retirement. His last day was June 15, according to City Administrator Carol Renken.

In a letter dated June 28, Renken invited Meester to present a proposal to the city council and suggested 15 hours of patrolling a week.

According to Meester, the Sheriff’s Office has contracts with Hendricks for 10 hours per week, and Lake Benton for 24 hours. Contracts are typically for three years.

“Our deputies log hours from the time they cross in and out of the city limits and historically are over the contracted amount,” Meester said. “And this doesn’t count record keeping, answering the phone, and court testifying.”

Meester cautioned the city council that prices are rising for vehicles, wages, oil changes, and called fuel prices a “wild card.”

Meester suggested 10 contracted hours per week at an estimated cost of $44,244 pro rated for the remainder of 2023, $44,747 for 2024, and $46,790 for 2025.

If the city contracted for 15 hours the costs would be $66,306 pro rated for 2023, $67,105 for 2024, and $69,118 for 2025.

In response to a question from Ivanhoe Mayor Dennis Klingbile, Meester said domestic disturbance calls, ambulance assistance calls, or crimes in progress would not be logged in and counted against the contracted patrol hours.