Levelland — The Levelland City Council authorized the city manager and mayor Jan. 6 to execute documents to replace a storm‑damaged communications tower with a new 300‑foot structure and associated site improvements.

City staff said the existing tower was damaged in a recent storm and — because the older structure was not insured under the city’s property policy — the replacement qualifies for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) damage reimbursement and a mitigation match. The council approved moving forward with the replacement, an action staff said would also improve radio coverage east of town.

Cost and funding: Staff described a bid from a local communications contractor and a funding breakdown that includes FEMA contributions and mitigation match funds. The city manager said the original bid for a new tower structure was $297,000. FEMA would contribute for the damage portion ($79,920) and provide a mitigation match (about $99,000). After FEMA reimbursements and matches, staff estimated the city’s net cost would be about $204,000. The council previously allocated $250,000 in ARPA funds for tower work; staff said the project will be covered within that allocation.

Schedule and operations: Staff said construction and commissioning should take approximately 12 to 16 weeks. The new tower will be built at a site north of the existing location so crews can “turn the new one on and turn the other one off” with no interruption in public‑safety radio service. The old tower will be removed and the site cleaned; the council asked staff to ensure the new tower has appropriate backups, including concrete equipment housing and a generator.

Why it matters: Officials said the taller tower will address known radio coverage gaps east of Levelland and reduce future communication outages for police and other responders.

Council action: On a motion and second the council authorized execution of necessary documents and permits to build the new 300‑foot guide tower and associated site work. City staff said vendor selection and permitting follow standard procurement and permitting practices.

Quotable: City Manager James Fisher said the project will allow police radios to move from a 20‑foot mounting to a 319‑foot configuration on the new structure and that the work should “alleviate all their communication issues in the [eastern] area.”