Board authorizes chair to sign letter supporting sheriff's grant request for communications equipment

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners unanimously authorized the chair on Feb. 3 to sign a letter of support for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office application to the Mid Nebraska Community Foundation Betterment program to purchase communications equipment.

"Those radios are vital for safety and support and having good communication is important," the chair said during discussion, adding the equipment "will benefit every resident in Lincoln County." Captain Newton of the sheriff's office described the advantages of interoperable radio systems, noting the state radio system allows agencies to communicate across jurisdictions without changing channels and reduces the need for individual counties to maintain tower systems.

Captain Newton said the sheriff's office routinely coordinates with neighboring counties and emergency management, and that state-managed systems shift maintenance and repair responsibilities to the state for a per-radio monthly charge. He offered to assist smaller counties with coverage reviews and technical help and said the office has in the past signed over radios to other county departments when systems were upgraded.

Commissioners and the sheriff's office emphasized the importance of interoperable communications during multi-county incidents such as wildfires. The board's motion authorized the chair to sign the support letter and directed staff to transmit it to Mid Nebraska Community Foundation.