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Commissioners approve tower lease with Halsall Communications, raise monthly fee to $1,200
Summary
After reviewing tower load, insurance and decades‑old informal arrangements, Lavaca County Commissioners approved a written lease with Halsall Communications and a monthly fee increase intended to offset the county’s rental costs at a separate tower site.
Lavaca County Commissioners on April 14 approved a written tower lease with Halsall Communications and set a new monthly fee intended to reflect current market conditions and the county’s radio infrastructure costs.
Tim Decker, standing in for the county’s communications lead, told the court the county inspected the tower near Hallettsville after upgrading its radio system and found the site was effectively at maximum load. Halsall Communications has had equipment on the county’s tower for more than a decade under what Decker described as an informal or “handshake” arrangement; the county auditor had been recording a $200 monthly payment but there was no binding, written contract on file.
Decker told the court the communications committee recommended formalizing a lease and raising Halsall’s monthly fee to $1,200. The additional revenue is intended to offset the county’s current lease expense for an alternate site (the Tillman Tower in Moulton), which Decker said runs about $2,000 per month. “We’re not trying to put anybody out,” Decker said. “This takes care of that.”
Why this matters: Decker said an overloaded tower creates liability and capacity concerns and that a written agreement would clarify insurance and indemnification responsibilities. County staff told the court they recently updated insurance on the Hallettsville tower and site shelters and that the equipment and buildings are insured for values they discussed during the meeting.
Commission action: A motion to approve the tower lease agreement between Lavaca County and Halsall Communications was made by the Precinct 3 commissioner and seconded by the Precinct 4 commissioner; the court approved the motion by voice vote.
Ending: Commissioners said a formal lease helps manage risk and protect both parties if equipment or a tower structure is damaged or needs replacement. No changes to tower construction plans or capital work were approved at this meeting.
