County hears LMR feasibility briefing; consultants to scope tower sites and encryption needs

Bourbon County commissioners heard an extended briefing Aug. 25 on options and next steps for a new Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system intended to support law enforcement, fire and emergency services.

Technical background and choices

Chris Martin, information technology director for Linn County, described differences among frequencies and digital radio technologies and summarized Linn County's experience transitioning to a digital radio system. He emphasized the distinction between frequency bands (VHF, UHF, 700/800 MHz) and digital technologies (NXDN, DMR, P25). Martin and commissioners noted that VHF frequencies propagate better in hilly, tree-covered terrain common in the region; higher 700/800 MHz bands require denser infrastructure to achieve equivalent coverage.

Martin said his county chose NXDN for its environment after testing P25 (800 MHz), DMR and NXDN. He cautioned that P25 trunked 800 MHz systems can require multiple new towers and carry large price tags; a 2012 study cited by the briefing estimated a P25/800 MHz system could cost about $12 million then, and participants suggested that figure has risen substantially since.

Study contract and funding

County staff said they have discussed a phased study and vendor selection process with a consultant group identified as TUSA (Tusa Consulting). Commissioners were told the consultant phase 1 study cost is roughly $32,000, which would include tower/site recommendations, radio and encryption requirements, and a report to guide an RFP. The minutes show commissioners discussed sharing the phase 1 study cost with the City of Fort Scott and other stakeholders.

Encryption and CJIS requirements

Speakers also spoke about encryption and criminal-justice information (CJIS) compliance. Martin said the FBI's CJIS policy revision enacted in 2022 broadened the definition of personally identifiable information (PII) and that transmitting CJIS-protected information over radio airwaves now requires encryption. He explained practical approaches used in other counties: some agencies encrypt a single channel (requiring users to switch to that channel to transmit PII), while others build encryption across shared channels and avoid repeated channel-switching by users.

Local experience and cost examples

Martin offered local numbers from Linn County's multi-year rollout: Linn County reported roughly $750,000 in capital and site work to date for an NXDN system that included building new tower sites. The briefing included examples of mobile/handheld radio unit costs that vary widely with technology and encryption; Martin said mobile radios can range from roughly $2,000 to $5,000 depending on options and encryption. Commissioners cited a 2012 estimate that building a P25 800 MHz system could have been about $12 million then and discussed an updated rough estimate of $18 million in today's dollars if Bourbon County pursued a full P25 800 MHz statewide-style system.

Next steps

Commissioners were told TUSA would perform a phase 1 study, gather stakeholder requirements (sheriff's office, city police, fire departments, emergency management) and produce a recommendation on frequencies, technologies, tower sites and estimated costs. If phase 1 is accepted, the consultant would proceed to subsequent phases including an RFP and oversight during installation. County staff said the sheriff will be asked to support the study and follow-on funding discussions; the minutes show commissioners discussed phasing the project, pursuing grant or shared-city funding for studies and equipment, and returning with a funding plan for the next budget cycle.

Ending

Commissioners said they wanted to slow down and let the consultant confirm local needs, terrain constraints and costs before committing to a technology or vendor. Martin and staff offered to answer follow-up technical questions and work with county leaders on outreach to other stakeholders.