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Newton County hears detailed communications update; commissioners weigh $44,000 repeater purchases and $48,000 tower repair
Summary
County officials described ongoing dead spots and interoperability gaps in the county radio system and discussed roughly $44,000 for repeaters (about $11,000 per precinct) and a $48,000 hard bid to repair a Blakewood tower; commissioners pressed staff for timelines and said safety concerns could justify spending.
At the Oct. 21, 2023 Newton County Commissioner's Court meeting, county officials delivered a detailed status update on radio and communications problems that county emergency responders and volunteers continue to experience.
Staff reported ongoing dead spots across precincts, work to install a satellite dish to improve data links and coordination with contractors on repeaters. A figure of approximately $44,000 was mentioned for repeater-related equipment and associated work; commissioners cited an example cost of roughly $11,000 per precinct as a planning metric.
Separately, staff reported receiving a hard bid of about $48,000 to repair the communications tower in Blakewood. Commissioners and staff discussed whether short-term maintenance (for example, painting and targeted repairs) could extend the tower’s life by several years, and whether to first obtain a structural evaluation from a tower specialist rather than relying solely on a radio vendor’s recommendation.
Several commissioners urged prompt action because of the public-safety implications. One commissioner said he would support spending the $44,000 because of safety concerns about dead spots in his precinct and asked staff how quickly repeaters could be installed after funding approval. Other commissioners described recent operational impacts: the sheriff’s office and local fire departments have had to coordinate around communication gaps, and school-safety drills now include handheld radios to ensure deputies and school staff can communicate.
Speakers also recounted an incident involving an 18-wheeler stuck on railroad tracks where improved communications would have helped coordinate responses faster. Commissioners suggested county staff return with clearer cost breakdowns, timelines for repeater installation, and options (repair versus replacement) for the Blakewood tower before the court commits funds.
The transcript records discussion of potential budget impacts and the need to identify appropriate funding sources; no formal appropriation or final vote on communications spending was recorded in the meeting.
