RENO, Nev. (AP) — The University of Nevada, Reno will be charged with campus safety for nearby Truckee Meadows Community College, a move that some say could spark similar consolidations of the state's public college police departments.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that the two schools will merge police forces starting July 1.

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, which oversees the state's public colleges, approved the proposal Friday.

Truckee's police department will effectively be dissolved and UNR police will oversee patrols and services for the community college and the Desert Research Institute.

The decision was made to cut costs.

Officials estimate the plan will save more than $470,000 per year.

The plan drew some controversy at public discussions over the last year.