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County warned of steep radio-network fee increases and $242,000 capital ask for VFD radios
Summary
Emergency communications staff told commissioners that proposed increases to the Granbury radio network and requests for 135 volunteer fire department radios and dispatch consoles could raise annual costs by hundreds of thousands; commissioners requested contract detail before decisions.
Emergency communications staff told Hood County commissioners on June 16 that the Granbury radio network (GRRN) per-radio fee could rise from the existing $13 to $23 or more, and that adding 135 volunteer fire department radios plus new dispatch consoles would add capital costs estimated at about $242,000. Staff modeled a scenario that could raise annual county radio-network costs to roughly $572,000 if all additions and the higher per-radio fee are finalized.
The emergency communications representative said those numbers are preliminary: the county has a draft interlocal agreement with the City of Granbury that is under review by the county attorney and could change. Commissioners signaled concern about doubling a significant recurring fixed cost and asked for vendor contract language and alternative scenarios before committing funds.
Staff also proposed funding for tower equipment (Crescent Tower) and additional consoles for dispatch; costs for radio maintenance and parts replacement were added as recurring lines due to prior-year repairs. Commissioners asked the emergency-communications office to return with firm contract figures and interlocal-agreement revisions.
No formal approvals were made; commissioners asked staff to provide revised estimates, draft contract language and implications for the county operating budget.
