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Commissioners approve new tower lease after emergency removal of sheriff’s antenna
Summary
Following an incident in which a tower crew removed emergency equipment, the court approved a new multi‑year tower lease and discussed replacement antenna, backup power and room for amateur radio equipment.
Young County Commissioners Court voted Jan. 27 to approve a lease for tower space after county emergency equipment was disconnected at an offsite tower and the county learned the tower would be removed by its owner.
The county reported that on a recent Friday a crew disconnected power to emergency communications equipment on a tower after losing its lease; county staff said the sheriff’s office responded, interrupted the removal, and reconnected power but that the tower itself will be dismantled. County and city staff had identified an alternate site and presented a lease for court approval. Commissioners approved the lease in open session by voice vote 5‑0.
Details discussed in the meeting included a monthly charge the presenters described as $400 per month, with a multi‑year term (the packet referred to a 4‑year contract in the presentation) and an annual 3% increase stated in the packet. The new tower was described as significantly higher in elevation (presenters estimated the new tower location would sit 220–250 feet higher in elevation than the prior site, with tower height discussed around 249 feet) and as likely to improve county radio coverage across the county.
Officials noted the county would seek to harden reliability by pursuing backup power for the installation and that emergency management funds or contingency funds might be used to cover near‑term costs. The court also discussed permitting amateur (“ham”) radio repeaters to colocate on county‑leased space; county staff said prior arrangements allowed ham operators on some county towers and that they would check with the tower owner about specifics.
The court recorded that contingency funds were moved into the line to cover the lease payment and that the county will coordinate installation, antennas, coax and climbing crews to limit downtime. Commissioners approved the lease by motion (mover: Commissioner Wiley; second: Commissioner Craig) and the vote passed 5‑0.
