Aurora to buy new communications tower, use 911 surcharge funds; P25 upgrade and decommission plan discussed

City staff presented two related public‑safety communications items on Aug. 5: a resolution to contract with L3Harris of Mount Morne, Fla., to construct a new communications tower at a cost of $481,166.48, and a separate resolution to amend the city’s system maintenance agreement with L3Harris for $544,624.70. Councilmembers placed both items on the consent agenda.

Jeff Anderson, deputy chief information officer, told the committee the projects are funded from Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) funds collected through 911 surcharges. The new tower will support recently purchased police and fire communications equipment and advance interoperability to the P25 public‑safety radio standard; Jack Scully of L3Harris provided technical context on P25, describing it as a nationwide public‑safety communications protocol that ensures standards‑compliant devices can interoperate.

Anderson and Scully said the existing tower behind the Church Road water tower is losing viability; city staff expects to coordinate migrating other carriers’ gear to the new tower and to decommission the old tower, noting an FCC‑related six‑month window for removal. Alderman Larson asked whether federal grant support for P25 upgrades had been sought; staff replied the city was late to apply for some P25 funding cycles and has pursued previous grant opportunities.

Alderman Nunez asked whether deconstruction costs were included; staff said a $150,000 deconstruction cost would be requested in the 2026 budget and is not included in the immediate contract. Officials said some carriers currently on the old tower are potential revenue customers and that the city will coordinate relocations as part of the project. Both resolutions were not pulled for discussion and were assigned to the consent agenda for final council action.