County accepts low bids for radio tower and electrical work for radio network upgrade

County staff presented bids and recommended awards to proceed with a planned upgrade of the county radio system.

Randy, a county staff member overseeing the radio project, told the fiscal court the county solicited bids for a self-supporting radio tower and for electrical work (grounding, generators and automatic transfer switches) at four sites. Two bids were received for the tower; Randy recommended accepting the lower bid from World Tower (amount quoted in the meeting record as "a hundred and 10 thousand, $8.75" in the transcript). The court moved, seconded and approved the award to World Tower. Randy emphasized that work will not start until the county finalizes a lease with the Forestry agency and obtains site clearances and excavator pricing for site preparation.

On the electrical work, Randy said the county received two bids; State Electric (Crofton) submitted the lower bid (quoted approximately in the transcript as "$1.91[0]700," described as about $7,500 less than the alternate bidder). The court approved awarding the electrical contract to State Electric.

Why it matters: The tower and electrical contracts are core parts of a multi-step radio upgrade that affects the county’s public-safety communications. County staff described next steps including finalizing a Forestry lease, clearing trees, building pads and coordinating excavators prior to contractor mobilization.

Context and next steps: Staff said the Forestry lease is pending signatures in Frankfort and county attorney review was completed; once the lease is executed, site excavation and tower/contractor mobilization will proceed per standard procurement and permitting processes.