County approves 9-1-1 camera upgrades, tower lighting and authorizes fiber plan with annual renewal condition

Wagoner County commissioners approved several measures on March 10 to upgrade public-safety communications, including new IP-based cameras for the 9-1-1 center, repairs and monitoring for tower lighting and an agreement to pursue fiber to several radio sites with conditions.

The Sheriff's Office presented competitive quotes for upgrading the 9-1-1 camera system and replacing coaxial cameras with IP cameras. The low bidder, JTI Security, submitted a combined quote of $7,096.68 for cameras and $6,394.17 for cabling; commissioners approved the purchase and directed payment from the 9-1-1 donation account used for dispatch equipment.

Separately, the board approved a package of work to repair tower lighting at the Yonkers site, arrange annual tower inspections and install components for a ham radio setup. Contractors were selected from competitive quotes, with commissioners noting the need for annual maintenance contracts going forward.

The board also authorized staff to pursue fiber connections to key radio sites and dispatch locations. The sheriff’s office described a plan to replace aging microwave links with tier-1 fiber service. Commissioners approved the fiber plan with the condition that the primary agreement be structured as an annual contract or otherwise accommodate annual appropriation, rather than a multi-year commitment that would bypass the county’s fiscal-year appropriation process.

Why it matters: The county’s microwave and coax systems are aging; dispatch and remote radio sites have experienced outages and vandalism. The upgrades are intended to modernize monitoring, provide redundancy for dispatch and protect infrastructure from recurring failures.

Votes and motions - Approve IP camera replacement and cabling (JTI Security, low bid) — Motion by Tim; second by Randy. Funding: 9-1-1 donation account remainder. Outcome: approved by roll call. - Approve tower lighting, inspections and ham-coax installation (quotes provided) — Motion by Tim; second by Randy. Funding: 9-1-1 M&O or related accounts. Outcome: approved by roll call. - Authorize staff to pursue fiber installation to radio sites and dispatch with annual renewal contingency — Motion by Tim (or equivalent); second by Randy. Commissioners asked staff to structure the agreement so the county signs a 12-month arrangement with automatic renewal or annual appropriation; if the vendor refused that structure staff will return with alternatives. Outcome: approved by roll call.

Details and next steps - Camera total: approximately $13,490.85 for cameras and cabling; funds to come from the 9-1-1 donation account (balance cited during meeting). - Fiber: staff reported a three-year cost (illustrative figure discussed: $108,360 for 36 months) but asked for annual renewal wording so the county can account each fiscal year; commissioners approved proceeding under that contingency. - Tower and lighting: contracts include inspection and monitoring services and a new monitored lighting system for Yonkers tower and other radio sites.

Speakers and staff: Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and communications staff (Mark Ketchum) presented quotes and discussed vandalism at remote sites and the need for redundant communications. Planning and IT staff will coordinate installation and the county will work with AT&T and other vendors to implement fiber links where cost-effective.

The board instructed staff to return contract terms and final vendor agreements if vendors could not accommodate the annual/renewal structure.