Committee approves T‑Mobile lease on county communications tower; members ask about EMF and tower revenue use

The Planning and Policy Committee approved forwarding a lease agreement with T‑Mobile Central LLC to the Board of Commissioners to allow the carrier to colocate wireless broadband equipment on the county’s Johnson Street communications tower in Robinson Township.

County staff said the Johnson Street tower would host a fourth carrier; the negotiated lease rate is $2,400 per month for a five-year agreement with automatic renewals and periodic increases. Telrad, the county’s tower consultant, advised on market pricing and placement of the carrier’s equipment on the tower.

Commissioners asked where lease revenue is held and how it is used. County finance staff said revenue generated by tower leases has historically been returned to the capital improvement plan to repay construction costs and later was placed into a committed fund balance intended for technology initiatives countywide. Staff said they are reviewing older board resolutions and expect to return with consolidated documentation to formalize committed fund balances and show how those funds will be designated for county technology needs.

Several commissioners raised concerns about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure near towers and asked whether the county monitors EMF levels or examines proximity to schools or residences when approving leases. Staff said they have not performed EMF assessments and offered to request information from the tower consultant (Telrad) and the carrier about expected emissions. The county also said the Johnson Street site is in a rural park open-space property and not close to schools.

The motion to approve the lease and forward it to the Board of Commissioners was moved, seconded and recorded as passed on a roll call vote.