Dodge County board approves $45,660 study to assess public-safety radio system

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors on April 15 approved a $45,660 budget amendment and hired a consultant to study the countypublic-safety radio communications system, citing recurring coverage gaps that have hindered emergency response.

Emergency Management Director Joel Maher and Dale, who manages dispatch for Dodge County, told supervisors the countyoperates a nine-tower VHF system with a limited, single encrypted P25 channel for sheriff tactical operations and persistent dead zones across the county. "We are doing the best that we can with what we have in place," Maher said. "We do not want to make decisions that 2 or 3 years down the road come back to bite us." Dale described multiple incidents where radios failed to transmit critical information, including an attempted homicide response in June 2024 in which on-scene commanders repeatedly could not be understood over the radio. "I can't copy you," he said the SWAT commander told him, forcing command to resort to phone calls during an active operation.

Why it matters: The board said the study is intended to produce an independent, vendor-neutral assessment of coverage, technology options (including continued VHF, VHF P25 trunking, or migration to 700/800 MHz trunking), costs, and transition strategies so the county and its municipal partners can plan upgrades without relying on equipment vendors' proprietary proposals.

Presenters outlined the committeeprocess: a Public Safety Radio Communications Committee of county staff and local chiefs reviewed the system, completed an inventory of existing radios, solicited an RFP and scored six vendor responses, interviewed three finalists and recommended TUSA Consulting to do the independent study. Committee members told the board TUSA estimated it could complete its work in approximately 90 days if given timely access to data.

Supervisors asked about the studyscope, alternatives and long-term costs. Supervisor Belk asked how long new technology would last; Maher said the study will identify expected lifespans once options are selected. Supervisor Breslow questioned whether the county already knew enough to act without a consultant; committee members said an independent consultant reduces the risk of relying on vendor-driven recommendations and could produce technical specifications to be used in procurement. "The consultant isn't a salesman. The consultant gives us the nuts and bolts," a committee representative said.

Speakers and committee members described interoperability issues with neighboring counties and state systems, and challenges during large events, including a presidential candidate visit that tested interoperability among multiple counties and state agencies. Committee members said some neighboring jurisdictions are migrating to 800 MHz systems, while Dodge County currently uses conventional VHF; they noted that some agencies use dual-band radios but many departments, especially fire and EMS, still have equipment nearing end-of-life.

The board approved the resolution authorizing the study and the associated budget amendment 25-0. The fiscal note attached to the resolution specified an increase in applied fund balance of $45,660 in the 2025 Dodge County Emergency Management budget.

Ending: The countycommittee plans to meet with TUSA Consulting after contract approval to provide inventories and frequency information so the firm can model coverage and present options to committees and ultimately the full board. The county said decisions about tower construction, equipment purchases or a transition path will follow the consultant's recommendations and additional stakeholder review.