Commission hears update on Helmet Rock tower, T‑Mobile lease and 9‑1‑1 equipment timeline

Emergency management reported that contractors have installed antennas and microwave equipment on the Helmet Rock tower and on the Well City tower, and that T‑Mobile has forwarded a lease agreement to the county for review.

The county’s emergency management director said the contractor has “only about 3 items left” at Helmet Rock but that Motorola has not provided a completion date for siren equipment that remains in a warehouse. He also said he has an outstanding vendor invoice he does not intend to pay until the equipment is installed. The director reported he is working with the carrier to add equipment at the Lost City tower and has shared information with AT&T but has not received a response.

County commissioners asked whether the upgrades would improve residents’ personal cellular service; the director said the work should help personal communication because “we can get some cell service on there.” He said schedules depend on each cell company’s construction planning and estimated the work could happen “maybe within the next year,” but emphasized there is no firm timeframe from the carriers.

The director also described other related costs: he is seeking lower prices for replacement UPS batteries, estimating a battery-pack replacement cost of about $8,000–$10,000; and he reported the county may go forward with a request for proposals for next‑generation core services to compare vendor pricing. Finally, he said T‑Mobile and UScellular expect network changes as carriers consolidate services.

County staff did not set a final schedule at the meeting and did not provide a signed lease. Commissioners asked for the lease and paperwork to be returned to the county attorney’s office for review once staff transmits the T‑Mobile document.