Van Zandt County commissioners voted to approve a milestone payment to L3Harris for hardware installation toward the county's new radio system, funding the payment from previously allocated ARPA funds.

The county judge told the court that the contract with L3Harris, previously approved by the court, included milestone payments for the roughly $6.5 million project and that the county had received the installed hardware at tower shelters. "The money is in the bank to pay for this," the judge said while describing the finalization steps before optimization and go‑live.

The court approved the milestone payment in the amount discussed during the meeting. Commissioners were informed that optimization work to ensure the system functions properly is scheduled to occur on July 1. The judge emphasized that the payment covers hardware installed at multiple tower sites and related microwave dish work.

The funding source for the project is ARPA funds that the county previously set aside for the radio-system project; commissioners clarified the payment covers services already provided and agreed the action pays invoices for work already completed under the contract.

The motion to approve the payment passed by voice vote.