Caroline County communications and emergency services staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 14 about a planned replacement of the county’s public‑safety radios and 9‑1‑1 consoles, saying the equipment has reached end of life and vendor pricing is increasing.

The plan the team presented showed a full replacement cost estimate for portable radios and 9‑1‑1 console upgrades in the range of about $3.7 million. Staff said Motorola — the system vendor — has signaled likely price increases of 5–10% annually, and the county has set aside $906,000 in the FY2026 capital plan.

What staff described

• Equipment and capabilities: Steve Herlock, communications division chief, and Troy Pluchek, communications lieutenant, said the new radios are P25 IPv4/LTE‑capable models with GPS and Wi‑Fi, allowing location tracking, better out‑of‑area connectivity and over‑the‑air programming that reduces manual programming time.

• Scope and inventory: Staff provided an inventory of county‑owned and maintained portable radios across sheriff’s office, volunteer fire companies, Department of Emergency Services (DES), public works and county EMS. Some fire companies have purchased additional radios independently, staff said.

• Cost and warranty: The full cost estimate for portables, chargers and replacement consoles was presented at roughly $3.7 million; consoles and 9‑1‑1‑center equipment were highlighted as an urgent need because dispatch positions rely on older hardware. Staff said the vendor’s multi‑year maintenance/ subscription costs also increase over time.

Phased approach recommended

Deputy County Administrator Daniel Fox and emergency services director Mark Sheridan discussed a phased purchase strategy. Commissioners and staff broadly supported a three‑phase rollout to mitigate budgetary strain:

• Phase 1 (near term): Replace 9‑1‑1 consoles and equip DES and the sheriff’s office (estimated phase cost roughly $1.6–$1.9 million when combined with the console work).

• Phase 2 (following year): Volunteer fire departments (portables for first responders).

• Phase 3: Public works, corrections and smaller user groups; retain some existing radios as backups during transition.

Staff noted several operational benefits of new radios: better interoperability across state lines using LTE, GPS tracking of units, Wi‑Fi support in school buildings, and over‑the‑air updates that reduce the manpower needed to reprogram hundreds of units.

Commissioners’ reaction and next steps

Commissioners asked about phased purchasing and vendor monopolies. Commissioner Frank Bartz noted the limited vendor options for statewide P25 systems and expressed frustration at limited competition. Staff agreed to return with a detailed year‑by‑year cost breakdown and a purchase order request should the board choose to move forward. No binding procurement decision or vote was taken on Oct. 14.

Ending

Staff said they will provide a refined multi‑year budget breakdown and recommended phase lists to the commissioners; any formal contract or purchase order would return to the board for approval.