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Alpena approves $107,011 purchase for 24 replacement portable radios, plans phased mobile replacement
Summary
Council approved purchase of 24 portable 800 MHz radios for $107,011.45, funded with ARPA interest, additional personal property taxes and committed fire-equipment funds; mobile vehicle radios would be funded and replaced in a later fiscal year, potentially with grant help.
The Alpena City Council approved purchase of 24 portable 800-megahertz radios to replace legacy equipment declared end-of-service by the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS). Fire Chief Rob Edmonds said certain radio models would no longer be supported and that replacement is necessary to maintain emergency communications.
Phase 1 — replacement of 24 portable radios, accessories and programming — carries a quoted price of $107,011.45 from Grand Traverse Mobile Communications. The city plans to fund the purchase using $78,045 in ARPA interest earnings, $16,422 in additional personal property tax receipts, and up to $12,544 from committed fire-equipment fund balance; if used, the fund balance line is intended to be replenished by increasing the annual allocation for fire equipment from $10,000 to $15,000.
The department previously sought an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and was unsuccessful; staff said they will reapply for a smaller micro-grant for the second phase (mobile vehicle radios) in the next budget cycle. Council members asked about expected radio life (staff estimated 10–15 years and recommended staggering replacements) and approved the motion by roll call.
Council asked staff to include the second phase in future CIP proposals and to report monthly ARPA interest commitments on consent agendas until funding is fully allocated.
