Tillamook County commissioners on May 28 approved two actions to advance the public safety radio upgrade funded by a voter-approved general obligation bond.

Chief Administrative Officer Rachel Hegarty summarized the project: voters approved a $24.4 million general obligation bond last November; the county sold the bond at a premium, generating an additional $2.36 million. The county has established a project steering committee and intends to form a citizen oversight committee for annual audits as required by the bond title. Hegarty said a request for proposals for procurement is posted with a mandatory pre-proposal meeting and a due date of Aug. 21.

The board first approved Modification No. 5 to Personal Services Agreement No. 5052 with Federal Engineering Inc. to add roughly $82,000 for procurement support and to extend their contract through Dec. 31, 2026. Hegarty said Federal Engineering has supported assessment, concept and procurement support since 2019 and will continue into design, engineering and implementation phases.

The board then approved a new professional services agreement with J. N. Hartsock for procurement project management services beginning June 1 through December (initial procurement phase) for $28,000, to be paid from bond proceeds. Hegarty said Hartsock brings decades of experience managing communications projects and will provide the day-to-day, local project management and coordination between Federal Engineering, user groups and contractors.

Both items passed by voice vote. Hegarty said the county’s procurement timeline includes a mandatory pre-proposal conference and that staff will solicit interest in the citizen oversight committee.