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Sheriff: radios nearing end of life; commissioners approve vehicle funding and seek vendor quotes
Summary
LaPorte County sheriff warned 800‑megahertz radios are near end‑of‑life and that vendor pricing has risen sharply; commissioners approved a $75,000 vehicle/outfit for EMS and asked staff for detailed radio inventory and alternative vendor pricing before larger replacements.
LaPorte County commissioners on July 14 heard from the sheriff and public safety officials about aging radio equipment and rising replacement costs. The sheriff said the county’s 800‑megahertz portables are, according to vendor communications, approaching end‑of‑life and that unit pricing had escalated from approximately $2,000–$3,000 to $7,000–$10,000 for newer models with features.
Commissioners pushed for more detailed information rather than an immediate large outlay: they asked the sheriff’s office to inventory portable and mobile radios and to provide vendor quotes and grant options. Staff referenced an active grant application (~$128,000) to replace some radios and discussed looking at alternative vendors; hazmat and other departments reported cheaper Kenwood models in recent purchases.
On related capital spending, commissioners approved a motion to include $75,000 in the EMS PSLIT budget to purchase and outfit a Tahoe for emergency work. Some commissioners expressed concern over timing and lifecycle costs and asked the EMS director to provide vehicle specifications and a procurement schedule.
The board’s direction: approve lower‑cost, well‑documented outlays now where necessary, and require detailed quotes, inventory and grant options for major radio replacements before committing county funds.
