BEECH GROVE, Ind -- The 911 dispatch centers in Beech Grove and Speedway could soon merge to comply with a new state law.

Counties must have no more than two dispatch centers by 2014, although Marion County currently has four -- Beech Grove, Lawrence, Indianapolis police and Speedway, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

Officials with Beech Grove and Speedway have already been in talks to combine their dispatch operations, crafting a joint proposal with input from dispatchers and other members of the police and fire departments.

"The groups working on that have been looking at potential savings, delivery of service, where these answering points would be located (and) who would be providing the service," said Speedway Town Manager Barbara Lawrence.

Beech Grove Mayor Joe Wright said he would like the process to begin within the next few months. Officials in both communities cited economic challenges for the urgency.

"Tough times demand tough decisions," he said. "Beech Grove's $1 million property tax revenue loss for 2010 as a result of tax caps required by House Bill 1001 is a permanent fiscal change."

While the measure will likely mean some police dispatcher positions will be eliminated, the local Fraternal Order of Police representative said the union is supporting the proposal which will, at least, guarantee those dispatchers salary and benefits through 2010.

"Rather than this happening in the next three months with no benefits, severance package or anything for the dispatchers, we felt like we reached an agreement where we can at least extend that," said FOP 86 spokesman Matt Hickey.

Lawrence police officials said the city has no plans to merge its emergency center with any other jurisdiction at the present time. It's also hoping to land a proposed statewide emergency dispatch center.