[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6096812,"mediaKeyId","2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291","parentId",2830441,"title","County seeks long-term funding for $8.5M public-safety radio upgrade; NDOT partnership cited","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",10041000,"endMs",10146000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291&start=10041&end=10146","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291/thumbnail_10041000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6096812/Douglas-County/Nevada/County-seeks-long-term-funding-for-85M-public-safety-radio-upgrade-NDOT-partnership-cited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096812-39bfc887b87382df9dca04315278b20c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019352&Signature=CD8J7SPnpiG1kZIgFuejcIudsCa4~yOkHSzxZnsA0iFGd3mdcVjrHgITg3HoEcLGQYyAfim1ZpPW8Ugy1taUy29O6GqkC~TANi8qf-V3OmtgObAjMQAtISlxbf15EngNvI0rr0GfcMh36QoS20wY-u77PVCSu1~YVekd9fNdWdw0wTcqmuvTAs4bI0B9CrNGpqIsldO6aIoMiU7eLZ1zltQrtw7-KDa6ft9jnt-BxBwre0MOeyyxj~VfWqf1fTePMisKE2mOojmaalZF6KD~xGzXkag3qyBrs3fpX1~wvW6v5pHpUspTMSo815RiWVRyzo0TnphnApCvrgxNM8HmYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County Nevada","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Douglas County telecommunications staff told the Board of County Commissioners the county's public-safety radio system needs phased replacement and upgrades, and staff presented an $8.5 million total project estimate that draws on user fees, the 9-1-1 surcharge and grant/partner funding.

Emergency Communications Manager Brent Finster and radio technicians outlined accomplishments that include replacement of some repeaters, completion of a station 12 tower upgrade in partnership with NDOT, and preventative-maintenance contracts that reduced near-term system risk. Finster said the county purchased 14 repeaters and performed frequency coordination required by the Federal Communications Commission.

The project aims to replace end-of-life repeaters across 16 primary sites and to pursue new site land use agreements that improve coverage. Finster said the radio fund already has roughly $1.9 million in prior spending and requested a $1.0 million transfer from the dispatch fund to continue upgrades; the broader $8.5 million total would come from a mix of local funds, a possible increase in the 9-1-1 surcharge and state or federal grants. \"We are continually looking for those opportunities,\" Finster said, urging commissioners to support grant requests and letters of support to federal representatives.

County staff noted the radio system upgrade is closely linked to dispatch capability; several prior dispatch and emergency-management items depend on radio coverage and site availability. Finster also said the radio program supports daily maintenance for user agencies and is seeking additional funding for ongoing preventative maintenance and technician training.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Douglas County Board of County Commissioners - Special Budget Meeting | March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Telecommunications staff requested funding to continue a multi-year $8.5 million radio-system upgrade, reporting $1.9 million already spent and a plan that mixes county funds, 9-1-1 surcharge proceeds, grants and partnerships with NDOT.","taxTitle","Douglas County, Nevada","taxId",56916,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096817,"911 surcharge, mobile comms vehicle and next-generation 911 among dispatch priorities",1449,7965000,9414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291&start=7965&end=9414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291/thumbnail_7965000.jpg","/articles/6096817/Douglas-County/Nevada/911-surcharge-mobile-comms-vehicle-and-next-generation-911-among-dispatch-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096817-3e1e2d3a2a77a96fda9ef75eead801f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019352&Signature=fDiGE0A10aAzz-evM3BXLbRSC3yQYoUSVDDpJRyt6twPd4Zplhih~mi1svPQjaOKzTONovXKbwA6H~TMRd5z0hAlS75Z4aHB~BfnlbUipyknsHeNkp2c3MwvjF~kAZkVEYM0DM6c3h0SeaaBAmauT6soFcRQjAZYXIt~CQbMbWcVuAc1SgmEhZDxwQDmvQGoFQuJ~LV1MdecaXl3TCQBHcsuhSx87HMfM8Mn3Ocz16Wi81Oh2c7uA1OAF6VnfYaZcubQqoevj3zmW4Yh0NoY93BQPlEASxcmFK~0LOIl1rRK9gyVURcX1MoHzIlOy0HO89bQIKgWJ-FT4YgvsUh7yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county's Emergency Communications Division presented its FY2025–26 plan and two capital priorities to the Board of County Commissioners: replacement of a 2004 mobile communications vehicle and ongoing investments to move toward next-generation 9-1-1.

Director Cara Easton said the dispatch center processed roughly 151,000 phone calls and more than 23,000 9-1-1 emergency calls last year and now supports the sheriff, two fire districts, the tribal police and Alpine County under fee agreements. She told commissioners that staffing had stabilized after active recruitment; the center will have 18 of 19 positions filled the week after the hearing. Easton outlined training and mental-health supports for dispatchers and said the center is updating policies and procedures to reflect new technology and user-agency needs.

On capital items, Easton asked the commission to consider $1.0 million from the surcharge fund balance to replace a 2004 mobile communication vehicle that serves as a deployable dispatch and incident-management platform during major incidents. \"These things are very expensive to replace,\" Easton said, noting the vehicle is used for large events and as an alternate operations center when necessary. The commission was also presented with a request for ongoing funding for next-generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services; Easton said NG911 offers more accurate caller location and richer data transfer and estimated recurring costs in the tens of thousands annually.

Easton briefed the board on a separate capital program to implement digital fire-station alerting, which routes tones and dispatch information directly to stations. That project, for which surcharge committee support and fire-district coordination are required, now faces higher-than-expected vendor costs and may require additional funding, she said.

The 9-1-1 surcharge fund supports dispatch operations and approved projects under county ordinance; Easton said the county is exploring an increase in the per-line surcharge to $1.00 per subscriber and noted staff proposed an audit of surcharge collections to verify the county receives all eligible revenue from service providers.","Emergency Communications Director Cara Easton described the 9-1-1 surcharge fund, a request for a mobile communications vehicle and continuing investments in next-generation 911 and fire-station alerting during the county's budget hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096820,"Sheriff outlines budget priorities: jail control board nearing end of life, digital tools and Axon requested",767,4494000,5261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291&start=4494&end=5261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291/thumbnail_4494000.jpg","/articles/6096820/Douglas-County/Nevada/Sheriff-outlines-budget-priorities-jail-control-board-nearing-end-of-life-digital-tools-and-Axon-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096820-d0d58bfe0b8669a13163da8e4529f310/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019352&Signature=OHQN90wkM0amLvwCD1cPRVFCCg9OKKjrqa4zrJV3sMtDrSpDluUMUGXG6D4zoS7bogOyybcFiqI8rixIBrr0p-Fw428hHFcVohQVSvhELQe8-ouNPoEQQybheI6uc2PAb7LxJBEFXJkL5~zS-5-YMr9bS0ag1vl2oYMRaWVIuSOHfAQYGe7vZGep~OH4cuF7RZlUrXiHzWzqBo4wCgD4qZMseVbZxiV5zyXSKWZJH5eOrwCAqUSTtSjomoGJuD56LdXT4hrE57dORPsdz6OLFvqO1NGgc0Xe8oFj2lmcfL3x8WMuVZ32saeV4JcUQ453sRHX8hRgclhawDfm4WaHQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Dan Coverley presented the Douglas County Sheriff's Office budget as part of the county's FY2025–26 tentative hearings, flagging technology, jail infrastructure and personnel as the main supplemental priorities.

Coverley said the sheriff's office operates four divisions — administration, records, investigations and patrol — and described an increase in investigative workload tied to digital forensics. \"Every case that we do involves some sort of digital forensics,\" he said, adding that investigators now routinely process evidence from phones and computers.

Coverley highlighted the jail's control board — a touchscreen system used to open and close doors — as an urgent capital concern. The present control board dates to a 2007 remodel, he said, and the vendor is out of business. \"That control board is on its last leg. We're limping it along,\" Coverley said. Replacing the system would be expensive and, while deputies could operate doors manually if it fails, the sheriff cautioned a replacement will be necessary in the near term.

On technology, the sheriff described a range of supplemental requests. The department would like to move from current specialized iPAC citation devices to a phone-based app with higher-quality photo capture and integration with roadside printers. Coverley also proposed expanded use of Axon services for body-worn cameras, AI-assisted report drafting and in-field translation. He said Axon tools could reduce report-writing time and improve language access. \"The AI reporting part, I think, is really good,\" he said.

Coverley identified other line-item adjustments and small cuts within the department he said would save roughly $20,000. He told commissioners that several significant staffing items in the tentative budget are grant-funded positions already approved by the board.

County Manager Jennifer Davidson and COO Kathy Lewis said they and the sheriff's office are discussing one-time funding options for high-cost capital items such as the jail control board, and that staff would return to the commission with specific proposals if feasible.","Sheriff Dan Coverley presented the sheriff's office tentative budget, describing staffing, a rise in investigative workload, and several supplemental requests that include replacing the jail control board, upgrading Axon body-camera and AI reporting services, and modernizing citation devices.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096826,"Douglas County opens four days of FY2025–26 budget hearings; managers outline internal controls and revenue outlook",825,591000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291&start=591&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2830441-42efb3c246d9d3691f236995b7811291/thumbnail_591000.jpg","/articles/6096826/Douglas-County/Nevada/Douglas-County-opens-four-days-of-FY202526-budget-hearings-managers-outline-internal-controls-and-revenue-outlook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096826-26ebb5af702beb6dfb8b8cf722c629fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771019352&Signature=P9XEiWuIshKYhefmXyFtFlI4GK4a8HD0QTLeIGActCc1FLQ3ZeWLNDvFGzZJzl1397LB5KbNGLBvSx7bCFRwGPxoZ9S8LqQMIMWJc67gdcW5Ft-8DFALQ-k4l8VqCQ-ppbcr5O2DTFAJKq1f-cDcA2Ig7bHr3Fyg33JQw79tOGV-WGeycVMXi21GpUfkIskgmIv7Vx9SKLdEmIGUQvJJk0xnwbwUi18XxmNA5VDOUHKltnQYsRnj-yEgY4BVkGch3lQAWCbr60e0S43ie~XS999YjP8TScwHPjXua3I2padamwEl5P4lzmABgusXUWm8mokPyWQ9NcELFUSOvLg7JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Douglas County commissioners on March 1 opened four days of public budget hearings for the 2025–26 tentative budget, receiving an overview of controls, revenue projections and the calendar for adoption.

County Manager Jennifer Davidson told the board the budget hearings are a primary internal-control moment: \"The biggest internal control we have in place is our budget process,\" she said, describing the hearings as commissioners' opportunity to review department line items and question proposed spending. Davidson summarized existing safeguards including department purchasing thresholds, the Internal Review Committee, and an independent fraud, waste and abuse hotline run by a third-party administrator.

Chief Operating Officer Kathy Lewis walked the commission through the tentative-budget timetable the county must follow under state rules, including the April 15 tentative budget submission and an adopted budget by June 2. Lewis emphasized that the packet presented to the board is tentative and that the county will return April 30 for additional updates and a required state hearing May 27.

The presentation reinforced the county’s fund structure and major revenue drivers. Lewis said the general fund accounts for operating services — public safety, courts, elected officials — while special revenue, enterprise, internal service, capital, debt and redevelopment funds are used for narrower purposes. She explained the cost-allocation plan that assigns shared general-fund services (HR, finance, IT, audit) to other funds and noted the tentative budget includes a 15% provisional increase in cost and risk allocations to reflect higher service costs since the plan was last updated.

Lewis and Davidson also discussed the county’s central revenue sources. Lewis outlined Nevada’s cap on annual property-tax increases (3% for residential, up to 8% commercial, subject to a formula) and said recent state guidance reduced the commercial cap used in the tentative estimate from 8% to 6.1%, which will lower final property-tax projections. The state consolidated tax (a collection that includes sales taxes, cigarette and liquor components, and vehicle-related distributions) is projected in the tentative budget to grow modestly; Lewis said the state’s final distribution numbers would arrive imminently and be included in the final budget.

Lewis closed by noting the tentative budget currently projects an ending general-fund balance representing about 15.1% of expenditures (the county policy target is up to two months or 16.8%). She and Davidson said outstanding items for the final budget include settled labor negotiations, final state revenue figures, and a finalized cost allocation plan.","County Manager Jennifer Davidson and Chief Operating Officer Kathy Lewis gave an overview of the FY2025–26 tentative budget, internal controls, revenue drivers and timeline for final adoption during the Board of County Commissioners' budget hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County seeks long-term funding for $8.5M public-safety radio upgrade; NDOT partnership cited

911 surcharge, mobile comms vehicle and next-generation 911 among dispatch priorities

Sheriff outlines budget priorities: jail control board nearing end of life, digital tools and Axon requested

Douglas County opens four days of FY2025–26 budget hearings; managers outline internal controls and revenue outlook