Chickasha council approves $44,980 upgrade to emergency siren system with public-address capability

Chickasha city staff described a planned upgrade to the city's emergency warning system that would add public-address and prerecorded messaging to existing sirens at the sports complex. The council approved a sole-source purchase of $44,980 from Goddard Enterprise/American Signal Corporation.

City staff said the upgrade would "allow us to make audible messaging over the siren," enabling prerecorded messages and live announcements such as weather safety prompts. Staff told the council the quoted estimate was approximate and that a site visit had been completed; if the city lacked funds at the time of final ordering it would not complete the purchase.

Council members questioned whether parts of the equipment had already been delivered, whether the system had failed at other locations and whether the estimate included a detailed site survey. Staff said some storm siren components have historically relied on dated batteries and charging stations but that the current equipment is functioning; the upgrade would be staged while using existing infrastructure where feasible.

On roll call the motion passed; one council member, Burrows, recorded a "No" vote. The council did not change the funding source at the meeting and indicated the purchase would proceed only if it fit within the approved budget.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the purchase and installation if the final cost fits the budgeted amount and will coordinate installation when the sports complex season is inactive.