911 staff present quote to separate tower power; commissioners discuss bids, costs and long-term radio options

Stacy McDonald, 911 charge, updated commissioners that a vendor (Bechtel Controls) quoted $91,800 to separate electric service for the county’s tower equipment; the same quote had included an estimated $9,000 FirstEnergy charge that 911 later confirmed at $7,800, making the vendor total slightly lower.

Procurement and timing: Commissioners and staff noted that the county’s competitive-bid threshold (recently adjusted by statute) means a purchase around $91,800 will likely require a formal public bidding process. Board members cautioned that bidders’ prices are time-limited and that a bid exercise can add weeks to the procurement timeline. McDonald asked whether staff should proceed to solicit bids; commissioners said they needed clarity on whether the board wants to proceed and that staff should not initiate a formal bid without a clear directive because bids have limited validity windows.

Radio-system implications: Commissioners and public-safety staff discussed longer-term options: leaving the tower and restoring electric service, building a new county-owned tower at another site (cost estimates previously discussed in workshop conversation range from several hundred thousand to over $1 million depending on scope), or partnering with existing providers. Participants noted recurring rent and service payments on leased tower space and argued the county should consider a long-range radio and 911 infrastructure plan as part of capital budgeting.

Ending: Commissioners asked 911 staff to hold the vendor quotes and return with a procurement recommendation, timeline and options for longer-term radio infrastructure planning so the board can evaluate whether to fund separation work now or invest in a different tower solution.