LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lancaster County officials say they want to handle Lincoln’s juvenile court cases and plan to notify the city of their consolidation wishes.

The county won’t ask the city for financial support. City Attorney Jeff Kirkpatrick has said he won’t be able to cut his staff if all juvenile cases were to move to county prosecutors.

A task force looking at a county-city merger recommended in 2013 that county prosecutors handle all juvenile cases to avoid confusion for youths and their families. Judges also have said having one office handle the cases is in the best interest of those directly involved.

The city attorney’s staff handles only cases involving juveniles ages 16 and 17 who are accused of committing misdemeanors within the city limits.