Joint Budget Committee approves staff plan for digital trunked radio system, reduces PPE fund request and OKs RFIs

The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) on Wednesday approved staff recommendations to pursue state funding and draft implementing legislation for an ongoing operating request for the Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS).

Alfredo Kim, JVC staff, told the committee, “I am recommending that the committee approve some source of state funding for the item for the $15,000,000 requested for the vendor contract and associated OSPC program hardware and equipment costs.” Kim said the $15 million request breaks down to $12 million for the vendor contract and $3 million for program hardware and equipment.

Why it matters: Committee members said the upgrade is needed to modernize public-safety communications but differed on the funding approach. The committee authorized staff to work with the Office of Legislative Legal Services to draft legislation that could let the 9-1-1 Services Enterprise finance the vendor contract and discussed using the Energy and Mineral Impact Fund as an alternative source.

Mr. Kemp, JBC staff, recommended additional budget-line structure to track the items the committee discussed, including a DTRS Equipment Costs line and a DTRS vendor contract line. Kim asked the committee to consider removing continuous spending authority for the Public Safety Communications Revolving Fund so the program’s operating appropriations are reviewed each year.

Votes at a glance: The committee approved the staff motion to move R1 (Digital Trunked Radio System – ongoing operating) and to give staff authority to draft implementing legislation; the motion passed 5-0 with a member mildly excused. The committee also approved the staff recommendation for R2 (PPE stockpile) and approved a package of requests for information (RFIs) and related long-bill footnotes, each on unanimous or near-unanimous voice votes noted in the transcript.

Committee direction and follow-up: The committee instructed staff to draft legislation that could authorize the 9-1-1 Services Enterprise to sign the vendor contract (a step that would likely require a bill), to add the DTRS-specific line items Kim described, and to return with additional information on funding options and the details of continuous appropriation authorities. Senator Kirkmeyer and others pressed for clarity on whether the Energy and Mineral Impact Fund commitments would be affected and asked staff to include that option in drafting.

Ending: The committee’s vote lets staff begin drafting legislative language and budget-line changes; members asked for follow-up information on fund balances and on whether the 9-1-1 Services Enterprise mechanism would be TABOR-exempt if used.