The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners chairman says he’s willing to talk about consolidating police services with the cities of Scottsbluff, Gering and Terrytown.

County board chairman Mark Masterton says that with Scottsbluff and Gering both having vacancies in the offices of their police chiefs, and the county’s chief deputy, Jim Gaspers, about to retire, it’s a good time to discuss combining the departments.

According to local media, the Scottsbluff City Council on Tuesday night asked staffers to look into consolidation even as the city moves forward with a search for a new police chief.

Scottsbluff Mayor Randy Meininger says consolidation is a good idea if it results in better service and can put more officers on the streets for the same amount of money.