Radio project faces change orders; cutover scheduled for December

County staff briefed the committee on progress and cost pressures for the countywide radio upgrade.

Work completed to date includes installation of DFSI servers at the courthouse, delivery of radio racks and partial installation of radio equipment and DC wiring. Fiber work is nearly complete at several sites, and radio dishes have been placed in shelters where space allows.

Staff reported a civil‑work change order at the Yuba tower site estimated at about $250,000 due to unexpected retaining wall and groundwork needs. The change order will be presented to the full county board for approval; staff said contingency funds are available but the change may consume much of the contingency. Staff also reported a separate pending change order from Gencom that the county project manager is reviewing.

Project schedule items reported by staff include antenna work starting in mid‑August (per the contractor’s timeline) and a system cutover planned for the week of Dec. 15. Committee members asked about subscriber radio budgets and procurement details; staff said they will finalize a subscriber plan and present it to the public safety committee. Staff also said they will provide written monthly reports going forward.

What’s next: staff will present any formal change orders for board approval, continue fiber splicing and site work, finalize the subscriber‑purchase plan and provide monthly written progress reports to the committee.