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Supervisors approve Tinker Mountain lease and award Reed Mountain tower contract to vendor
Summary
The board approved a lease for Tinker Mountain communications space and awarded an RFP for construction of the Reed Mountain tower (Reed Mountain/Dispatch site). Diamond Communications will build Reed Mountain tower in exchange for equipment space; Vertical Bridge lease covers Tinker Mountain occupancy for county equipment.
The Board of Supervisors approved two actions to advance a countywide radio and emergency communications upgrade: a negotiated lease for space on Tinker Mountain and an RFP award for a new Reed Mountain tower.
Tinker Mountain: Supervisors approved a negotiated lease with the land/host operator (Vertical Bridge) providing space for county radio equipment. Staff said the negotiated term equates to a long‑term arrangement with an initial rental structure that includes a modest monthly rent (staff cited a $32.50 figure tied to internal accounting; staff also noted the total rent due to the owner will be slightly higher and will include a revenue share paid to the private landowner who leases to Vertical Bridge). Staff said using the Vertical Bridge site allows the county to vacate its current EMS Council tower lease and reduce duplicate tower costs.
Reed Mountain (new tower): The county sought proposals to secure tower space where the county expects to colocate its new radio equipment near the planned multiuse public-safety facility. After an RFP process staff recommended award to Diamond Communications. Under the negotiated arrangement, Diamond will construct the Reed Mountain tower and provide the county space for no base rent; Diamond will pay the county $25,000 after the first commercial carrier collocates, and the county will receive a revenue share (40% of the first carrier’s revenue and 50% for subsequent carriers). Diamond agreed to complete construction to allow county equipment placement by June 1, 2026.
Why it matters: Both actions continue the county’s move to a modernized radio architecture that county staff and public-safety leaders say is needed for reliable dispatch and interoperability across the county. The Reed Mountain tower site is key for southern-county coverage and ties to the county’s new multiuse facility/dispatch center.
Votes and next steps: The lease and the award were approved by board votes at the meeting. Staff will finalize contract documents with the vendors and proceed with tower construction and equipment installation schedules.
Ending: The negotiated deals reduce the county’s near-term cash rent for tower space at Reed Mountain while securing build-out and revenue-sharing terms; staff will return with contract documents and construction updates.
