MARSHALL — The rising costs of law enforcement are a concern for Lyon County cities, Lyon County commissioners learned Tuesday.

After hearing feedback on proposed rates for sheriff’s patrols over the next three years, commissioners approved smaller rate increases instead.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office currently contracts with five area cities to provide law enforcement services. At Tuesday’s county board meeting, Sheriff Eric Wallen presented commissioners with proposed new rates for those contracts from 2025 through 2027. Under the proposal, rates for contracted law enforcement would increase 3.5% in 2025, 3.75% in 2026, and 4% in 2027.

Wallen said he had received feedback from cities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office. City council members in one community were “adamant” that the increases were too much, he said. Another community wanted to limit the increases to 3%, to try and limit the impact on the municipal tax levy.

“I would like to see us work with the communities,” Wallen told commissioners.

The base fee for contracted law enforcement services is affected by a city’s population, and the number of patrol hours it receives. For example, a city with 201 to 400 people would receive a minimum of 10 patrol hours per week. Cities with larger populations would receive more patrol hours per week. Cities could also add more dedicated patrol hours for an additional cost.

Wallen said the rates for law enforcement services help cover costs like salaries and benefits for Lyon County deputies.

According to materials in Tuesday’s county board agenda packet, the proposed fee increases would mean the base cost of law enforcement services for a city with a population between 201 and 400 would be $26,452.80 in 2025. The cost would increase to $27,446.40 in 2026, and $28,545.60 in 2027.

At the higher end of the scale for base fees, a city with a population between 1,301 and 1,800 would go from $158,716.60 in 2025, to $164,678.40 in 2026 and $171,273.60 in 2027. A city of that size would receive a minimum of 60 patrol hours per week.

Wallen said the community that said the proposed rate increases were too much fell into the 201-400 population range.

Commissioners didn’t end up limiting the rate increases to 3%. However, they did approve smaller rate increases than originally proposed. Commissioner Rick Anderson moved to increase rates by 3% in 2025, by 3.15% in 2026, and by 3.25% in 2027. The proposal passed.