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Council questions Pierce County invoice seeking radio subscriber fees; staff recommend not paying pending clarification
Summary
Pierce County sent a new invoice for subscriber fees tied to the 700 MHz radio system; council members said Prop 1 funds historically covered these costs and recommended not paying until the county clarifies the billing approach and double-charging concerns are resolved.
Council discussed a Pierce County invoice requesting subscriber fees for the county’s 700 MHz radio network. Staff reviewed the history: Proposition 1 (passed by Pierce County voters in 2011) funded design, equipment and operation of emergency communications infrastructure; Orting and other agencies historically relied on Prop 1 funding to cover initial hardware and subscriber arrangements.
The county invoice requested Orting pay a subscriber fee that would align 700 MHz agencies with 800 MHz subscriber rates; council members said the county is changing longstanding billing practice and warned the city would be billed the same flat rate as large users even though Orting's utilization is far lower. Council member Tracy and others noted agencies in the county have withheld payment in prior years without immediate service interruption.
Public safety staff recommended not paying the bill while the county’s methodology for charging was disputed and while other Pierce County agencies are coordinating responses. Council requested staff continue to coordinate with other agencies and report back if Pierce County issues a formal service-termination notice or changes the billing methodology.
