The Board of County Commissioners heard a proposal to approve a no-cost agreement with AT&T for installation of a bidirectional amplifier (BDA) and a small roof antenna to improve cellular coverage inside the Johnson County courthouse and administration building.

Rick Gissoff of the Department of Emergency Communications said the request responds to "dead zones" inside the building identified by Pearson Wireless, a consultant that monitors radio and cellular frequencies at county facilities. "AT&T was the only one who responded," Gissoff said, and the county is considering a no-cost placement so the company can add BDA equipment to feed signals inside the courthouse.

Gissoff described the installation as largely interior equipment housed in the building's data room with "a very small antenna that goes on the roof." He said county staff compared power consumption to a similar installation at the Arts and Heritage Building and estimated operating cost "on the high end" at "around $40 a month."

Commissioners probed policy and procurement implications. Commissioner Brewer asked whether installation would be noticeable; Gissoff replied it would be "not noticeable" and largely interior. Commissioner Ashcraft asked whether hosting equipment for carriers free of charge is common; Gissoff said the county's only similar arrangement he knew of was another AT&T installation at Arts and Heritage, also with no lease payments. Chair Mike Kelly and Commissioner Hansliff emphasized the public-safety rationale, noting benefits for sheriff's office personnel and others who use FirstNet.

Commissioner Burkhart asked whether installing AT&T-specific equipment would preclude other carriers from later placing equipment; Gissoff said different carriers use different frequencies and can install their own compatible equipment in the same data room later. No formal action was taken during agenda review; staff said the item will return for board action at the June 5, 2025 meeting.