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Rusk County supervisors accept $34,208 public-safety grant to buy WISCOM equipment
Summary
The Rusk County Board of Supervisors voted to accept a $34,208 public-safety grant to purchase equipment and software to prepare for the state WISCOM radio system; the purchase is intended to reduce future bond or levy costs for an already-authorized tower upgrade.
The Rusk County Board of Supervisors voted to accept a $34,208 public-safety (PSF) grant to buy equipment and software that will allow the county’s radio system to connect to the state WISCOM network.
The grant, approved by a 17-0 vote, is intended to cover part of the cost of equipment the county expects it will need if the state’s WISCOM radio system is rolled out locally. County staff said the purchase would reduce the amount the county will need to pay from bond proceeds or levy dollars when the full upgrade is completed.
County staff summarized the grant during the meeting, saying the county had already applied for and received the award. “WISCOM is probably going to happen in the next 1 to 5 years,” the staff member said, describing the grant as a way to buy equipment and software now so the county does not have to pay for the items later out of levy or bond funds.
Supervisor Hansen asked for the size of the award and how it fit into the larger project budget: “I see that we’re gonna disperse 34,208 and that’s only going to be a portion of it,” Hansen said. Staff replied that the grant pays for equipment and software only and that the full cost of the county’s previously authorized tower upgrade was financed with bonds.
During the discussion staff and supervisors described a county-wide tower upgrade authorized last year. One supervisor said the bonded upgrade was “just a hair under $2,500,000,” while another participant referenced figures of about $2,436,000 and roughly $2,800,000; staff said the grant would reduce the county’s bond dollars if the equipment is bought now. Staff also said GenComm, the vendor assisting the county’s radio upgrade, recommended applying for the grant. “GenComm said, ‘hey, you can save a little bit on your bond dollars if you get this grant,’” the staff member said.
The staff member explained that WISCOM is a statewide radio system Wisconsin has been adding towers to and that Rusk County currently is not on a WISCOM tower. The grant funds would allow the county to purchase compatible equipment and software ahead of a likely state roll-out.
After discussion the board voted; the chair announced, “All right. 17 yes. Passed by majority.”
Officials did not provide a final total cost for the full WISCOM conversion or a detailed timeline for installation. Staff described the county’s purchase as preparation for an expected state deployment and said additional funding and tower placement questions remain subject to the state’s WISCOM rollout and the county’s bond-funded tower project.
