County Government completes $2.3M digital dispatch upgrade and unveils major project plans

The Graham County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 21, 2025, highlighted significant accomplishments and future initiatives for the county. One of the most notable achievements was the completion of a $2.3 million upgrade to the Motorola dispatch system, transitioning from an analog to a digital system. This project, which involved the sheriff's office and various communication equipment, was funded through state resources, thanks to the efforts of Sheriff Allred and Undersheriff McCormick.

In addition to the dispatch upgrade, the county reported progress on several infrastructure projects. Drinking fountains were installed at the fairgrounds, and a master landscape, waterline, and drainage plan was initiated. The county also celebrated the successful reduction of its unfunded liability in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) from $4 million to virtually zero over four years.

Other key developments included the construction of a new search and rescue training facility, improvements to heavily traveled dirt roads, and the refurbishment of playground equipment into a shade awning for maintenance areas. The county also completed various IT upgrades, including replacing storage servers and transitioning to a fully electronic accounts payable system.

Looking ahead, the county's general fund budget for the upcoming fiscal year is set at $62.8 million, with a total budget of $132.2 million. The budget includes a 4% market increase for employees and maintains the current employee contribution match for health benefits for the fourteenth consecutive year. Planned projects for the upcoming year include continuing the rewrite of the zoning ordinance, further development of the Gila River Linear Park, and enhancements to the dispatch center, including CAD mapping and AI paging systems.

The meeting underscored the county's commitment to improving public safety, infrastructure, and community services, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.