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Commission approves purchase of portable and mobile radios to support countywide digital system; staff to pursue repeaters and antenna quotes
Summary
Commissioners approved buying additional portable and mobile radios at low unit prices and directed staff to pursue repeater and antenna quotes for a countywide radio upgrade tied to the Saint Paul digital system; reimbursements for earlier purchases will require departmental statements.
Neosho County commissioners voted to buy additional radio equipment at a reduced unit price and instructed staff to continue work on repeaters and antenna installation to improve countywide digital radio coverage.
Staff reported that Saint Paul and Galesburg fire departments had already invested in starter equipment to join a digital radio system and that the county could obtain additional portables and mobiles at substantially reduced pricing (the motion described portables at $50 each and mobiles at $75 each). Commissioners approved purchasing 34 mobiles at $75 each (total $2,350) and 27 portables at $50 each (total $1,450), for an aggregate purchase total of $3,800. The county will store extras to be deployed during 9-1-1 incidents, storms or other events, staff said.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether to reimburse departments that had already bought radios before the countywide purchase. Staff said any department seeking reimbursement must submit an invoice or statement to the county clerk; the commission approved reimbursement only after departments submit documentation. Commissioners also asked staff to pursue quotes for repeaters, towers and antennas and to explore purchasing used repeaters from nearby systems as a cost-saving measure. Staff estimated repeater costs at roughly $4,000 each and noted antenna and tower costs depend on height and climb access.
The commission approved the bulk purchase motion and directed staff to continue work on repeater quotes and implementation planning; staff said repeaters and antenna costs will be separate from the $3,800 equipment purchase and will be brought back once quotes are available.
