Routt County commissioners voted Aug. 5 to authorize a not-to-exceed $49,995.80 payment to rent a temporary 60-foot communications tower after staff explained the county’s primary 120-foot tower at the Cog site was condemned and needs replacement.

Chris Williams, the county radio technician, described the replacement plan and the need for a temporary tower to maintain paging coverage for fire and EMS. "I'm Chris Williams. I'm the radio technician for Routt County," he said when introducing the project and explained that the county searched nationwide for a rental solution and found a constructed 60-foot tower that could serve long term if necessary.

Williams and communications staff said Verizon will build a new 120-foot climbable tower at the site; Verizon will own the new tower but will allow the county to mount VHF equipment under a long-term agreement. The county’s temporary rental would remain in place if construction is delayed; staff said the temporary 60-foot tower is expected to provide the necessary interim coverage based on propagation studies.

Commissioner Redmond moved to authorize the county manager to spend up to $49,995.80 for the tower rental; the motion passed on a recorded voice vote of the board with the chair asking for vocal assent and commissioners replying “Aye.” Staff said the scope includes removal of the old tower, installation of the new tower and associated site work, and that the county can own or reuse concrete base blocks if desired.

Officials emphasized that a long-term lease with Verizon is required and that, under the draft agreement, if the county is not allowed on the Verizon tower, Verizon would be restricted on the site as well — staff said the county attorney is working to secure the county’s operational access.