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Kootenai County approves emergency replacement of jail radio antenna, splits $30,000 cost
Summary
The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 6 to approve an emergency replacement of a failed bidirectional antenna at the county jail, splitting the approximately $30,000 cost between the 9-1-1 fund balance and contingency/taxpayer funds.
The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 6 to approve an emergency replacement of radio communication equipment at the county jail, allocating roughly half the $30,000 project to the 9-1-1 fund balance and the other half to contingency/taxpayer funds.
Lieutenant Jeff Howard told the board the jail’s bidirectional antenna failed over the weekend and that the unit is 11 years old. “Motorola and Day Wireless recommend that it be replaced every 7 years,” Howard said, adding that the county has gotten “an additional 4 years out of it anyway.” He said the antenna amplifies radio signals inside the jail because county radio towers “aren’t strong enough to penetrate the building,” and that there is “very little radio communications without it.”
Howard said he had contacted Day Wireless and expected technicians to be on site Friday to install the replacement. He told commissioners the upgrade will include a battery backup unit required by updated fire-code rules and that the county’s backup generator does not satisfy that requirement. “Fire code also requires that we have a battery backup unit installed on that piece of equipment,” Howard said, and the upgrade will bring the system up to code.
Discussion among commissioners focused on funding. Howard said some costs could be paid from the 9-1-1 fund balance but noted the expense was not budgeted in the E9-1-1 fund. A commissioner proposed splitting the cost between the 9-1-1 fund and contingency/taxpayer dollars; commissioners agreed. One commissioner also requested that staff perform a wider equipment review to confirm other systems meet current code; Howard said Alan will start that work.
A motion to “approve the emergency replacement of the radio communication equipment in the jail using contingency and 9-1-1 funds” was moved and seconded. In roll call, Commissioner Eberline voted “Aye,” Commissioner Duncan voted “Aye,” and Chair Metari voted “Aye.” The motion carried.
No members of the public spoke during public comment, and the meeting was adjourned.
