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County to upgrade Silverton radio site; board approves $108,000 intergovernmental agreement
Summary
Marion County approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Silverton to improve the Eastview Lane radio site and allow long‑term county use for the countywide public‑safety radio system; the agreement includes $108,000 in construction/site improvements and a $3,600 annual utility payment.
Salem — Marion County commissioners on Aug. 27 approved an intergovernmental site‑use and construction agreement with the City of Silverton that will allow the county to install public‑safety radio equipment at Silverton’s Eastview Lane site and fund site improvements.
Public Works Director Brian Nicholas described the existing City of Silverton radio room as an uninsulated wood structure with a small residential‑grade backup generator. The county’s plan is to occupy the room and place radio equipment on an adjacent tower, and in exchange Marion County will insulate the building, install a commercial‑grade HVAC system and replace the generator with a commercial model. The county also proposed a payment to offset increased utility costs when new equipment and HVAC are added.
Key terms - Construction/site improvements: county to provide $108,000 in construction and site improvements for long‑term use of a portion of the Eastview Lane communications site. - Annual utility payment: the draft agreement proposes $3,600 per year (about $300 per month) to offset the city’s increased electric costs; the $108,000 figure represents 20 years of annual utility payments in the draft language. - Term: county use through June 30, 2045, to support the countywide public‑safety radio system used by first responders and other agencies.
Why it matters: The county radio project is intended to deliver a public‑safety grade system with 13 broadcast/receive sites across Marion County. Upgrading the Silverton site is one of the county’s steps toward completing the network and improving radio coverage for first responders.
Board action Commissioner Cameron moved approval of the intergovernmental agreement; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
Ending Public Works will proceed with the site improvements and coordinate with the City of Silverton to implement the upgrades and payment schedule.
