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County moves ahead on $6.4M public‑safety radio system; officials seek additional grant funding
Summary
Supervisors said Nottoway has a $6.4 million contract for a P25-compatible public‑safety radio system and are pursuing additional grant funds to reduce local cost — officials stressed the upgrade improves firefighter, EMS and law‑enforcement safety and grant eligibility.
Nottoway County leaders told supervisors Thursday they are moving ahead with a planned P25‑compatible public‑safety radio system after negotiating a contract and securing short‑term financing.
County Administrator Steve Bowen and Emergency Services Chief Buddy Hyde described a $6.4 million contract the county has negotiated; Bowen said the county borrowed funds from Huntington Bank at about 3.8 percent and currently holds the loan proceeds with the state construction fund while pursuing further grant support.
The nut graf: Board members framed the system as a life‑safety investment for firefighters, EMS and deputies, and said adopting P25 now also makes the county eligible for state and federal communications grants and reduces the need for vehicle repeaters and other interim fixes.
Officials said the vendor selection specifies a 700‑MHz P25 public‑safety system (the meeting referenced Kenwood equipment and earlier vendor discussions) and that the county has asked state and federal lawmakers to consider an additional $1 million appropriation; Bowen said the project had passed the first cut and been forwarded to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. Hyde and other public‑safety leaders described the system as improving range, reducing static and allowing interoperability with neighboring localities.
Bowen said the county’s financing arrangement yields an interest differential: the loan is on deposit earning about 6 percent while the loan rate is about 3.8 percent. Supervisors asked staff to continue grant pursuit and to report progress. No additional formal budget action was required at the session.
Ending: County officials said they will return with grant updates and a vendor implementation schedule; supervisors reiterated that the upgrade intends to lower long‑term operating costs and improve responder safety.
