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Commissioners say engineers are evaluating new county building radio coverage that could affect occupancy timeline
Summary
County staff told commissioners on Sept. 4 that engineers are studying fire-department radio coverage inside the new county building; if unresolved, the issue may affect the certificate of occupancy and could require contingency funding.
Rockingham County commissioners were told Sept. 4 that engineering work is underway to address radio coverage problems for fire department radios inside the county's new building, and that the issue could affect the building's certificate of occupancy.
Facilities staff reported that interior radio reception for analog systems is not reaching through the building in some configurations. The digital systems currently in use do carry, staff said, but the fire departments have not upgraded all vehicles to digital and continue to use analog channels in some cases.
A facilities official said the engineering team and county staff will have an update in about two weeks. The official added that contingency funds are available should work be required to remediate coverage; commissioners discussed a contingency amount "at last glance" of about $100,000 but noted that exact figures would need confirmation.
Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives, including upgrading radios in responding agencies or installing infrastructure improvements in the building. Staff said purchasing radios for multiple outside agencies would be expensive and that addressing building infrastructure was likely to be the more cost-effective long-term solution.
The board did not take any formal vote on the matter at the meeting; staff were asked to return with options and cost estimates.
One facilities manager reported active coordination: "Caroline at Water Street has already looked at a couple of different configurations and scenarios," and county staff said they were bringing in electricians and communications experts to explore fixes.
If engineers determine remediation will delay occupancy, staff said they would inform the board and discuss using contingency funds to avoid protracted delay.
