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Commissioners hear detailed update on county communications tower; footing repairs slow full service
Summary
County staff reported damage to tower footings and quoted work ranging from $50,000 for certain placements to substantially higher repairs; commissioners emphasized the tower’s role for sheriff and fire radios and discussed interim workarounds.
County staff and contractors updated the commissioners on the status of Newton County’s communications tower and the work required to restore full countywide service.
Mark reported that contractors provided quotes for some work and that placing 'all the footage' would cost roughly $50,000, while commissioners and staff discussed the broader tower project and footing repairs that could carry substantially higher costs. Staff noted some anchors and concrete footings had deteriorated and that the county had placed temporary microwave equipment on an alternate structure to restore partial service.
Commissioners and public-safety stakeholders stressed the importance of tower service for sheriff, fire and precinct radios, and noted that until the footings are repaired and the county’s microwave equipment is fully installed, full countywide radio coverage will be limited. The discussion also touched on safety benefits—such as the ability to coordinate law-enforcement responses on rural roads—and on whether grant draws could be requested against obligated funds to cover repairs sooner.
No final action was taken; staff and commissioners discussed next steps and the possibility of using obligated or contingency funds to address footing and equipment issues.
