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County staff say radio‑tower project on target; agencies asked to submit radio models for reprogramming
Summary
Officials told the Executive Finance Committee the radio‑tower project aims to finish civil work this year and complete a final operational check next year; agencies were asked by Oct. 15 to provide radio models and bids for reprogramming, with subscriber support funded from the original $8 million borrowing.
County staff updated the Executive Finance Standing Committee on the county radio‑tower project and steps to ensure emergency responders can use the new system.
Staff said the civil construction is complete on all towers except the last site and that the project is still targeting completion by the end of the year with a final operational radio check next year. To ensure interoperability, the county will distribute a channel order and asked each emergency agency to provide model and capability information and a bid to reprogram radios; staff set an Oct. 15 deadline for agencies to respond. "If they don't have what they need, let us know," staff said, adding that subscriber reprogramming costs were included in the original $8,000,000 borrowing.
Speakers discussed the P25 radio standard: if agencies have purchased P25‑compliant radios in recent years they are likely reprogrammable; agencies that do not meet that standard may need new equipment. Several jurisdictions that touch Richland County (including neighboring counties) were noted as having different systems or gateway arrangements; staff said they are coordinating with regional partners.
Ending: Staff will continue outreach and collect radio inventories and bids; the committee said members may be contacted for follow‑up and expected a further radio‑tower update at a future meeting.
