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Owen County 9‑1‑1 board pushes radio system upgrade; commissioners approve NextGen seed grant
Summary
The county’s 9‑1‑1 board recommended a vendor for a radio system build‑out and the commissioners accepted a no‑match NextGen 9‑1‑1 “Seed” grant application to improve geographic/address compliance and public‑safety communications.
Owen County’s 9‑1‑1 board recommended that J & K Communications be selected as the vendor for the county radio system build‑out, and commissioners approved moving forward with the vendor this week.
Chris (9‑1‑1 board): "This is a much needed project," the 9‑1‑1 board said, urging action to address coverage and interoperability problems that date to 2013 narrowbanding requirements.
The 9‑1‑1 board described the long‑running coverage limitations caused by FCC narrowbanding in 2013 and said handheld radios and some remote areas no longer reach dispatch reliably. The commissioners said the county council committed $1.3 million to the project; after evaluating proposals the board recommended a vendor that could complete the work within the council’s appropriation.
Separately, commissioners approved accepting a no‑match NextGen 9‑1‑1 “Seed” grant application prepared by WTH (the seed grant vendor/consultant named in the meeting). The seed grant—described in the meeting as a GIO office program with up to $2,000,000 made available per county for NextGen compliance—was presented as a no‑match opportunity to bring addressing and other data into compliance with federal/state NextGen requirements. A motion to accept the seed grant proposal passed 2‑0.
Why it matters: Commissioners and the 9‑1‑1 board said the radio upgrade aims to improve radio coverage for dispatch, patrol, fire and EMS and to allow interoperability with mutual‑aid responders; the seed grant would fund enhanced data and addressing to support NextGen 9‑1‑1 capabilities.
Project details: The 9‑1‑1 board and the consultant said the project will include tower work (a tower site at Patricksburg was discussed), agreements with utilities (Hoosier Energy, REMC) and fire departments (Patricksburg Fire) because county radio assets will be placed on partner property. The consultant told commissioners he would prepare agreements and advertise tower and equipment bids to allow bid opening in June if schedules align.
Ending: Commissioners approved selecting a vendor recommended by the 9‑1‑1 board and accepted the seed grant proposal; staff will draft vendor notices, interagency agreements and procurement advertisements to move the project forward.
