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Scotts Valley approves participation in countywide RING radio system and authorizes city manager as voting member
Summary
Scotts Valley approved Resolution 2075 to join the countywide RING (regional interoperable next‑generation radio) system, a roughly $28 million countywide project; city staff said Scotts Valley’s initial share is projected near $40,000 in FY27 with ongoing costs around $100,000/year, contingent on member participation.
Scotts Valley — The City Council voted unanimously to approve the master governance and service agreement to participate in the countywide RING radio system and designated the city manager as Scotts Valley’s voting member on the executive committee.
Interim Chief Rutherford and city staff described RING — the regional interoperable next‑generation radio system designed to improve communications among law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services and public works — noting current equipment is more than a decade old and that past severe weather has caused radio outages. The new system will be digital, P25‑compliant and meet DOJ encryption standards, and city staff highlighted upgrades planned for the Cadillac radio tower to reduce dead spots.
Why it matters: better interoperability is intended to improve unified command and response during large incidents. Staff explained costs are allocated by the number of radios accessing the system; Scotts Valley was listed as a smaller user with 46 radios versus the county’s roughly 1,120. Staff characterized the project as a ten‑year agreement (with an option to renew) and said the countywide project is about $28 million, with Scotts Valley’s initial costs anticipated near $40,000 in fiscal year 2027 and ongoing annual costs nearer $100,000.
Council action and conditions: Council member moved to approve Resolution 2075 to participate in RING with an amendment making Scotts Valley’s approval contingent on the other municipal jurisdictions and UCSC joining; the motion passed unanimously. Council separately approved a motion to designate the city manager (or designee) as Scotts Valley’s voting member on the RING executive committee.
Funding and grant status: Council asked whether a $600,000 earmark to Congressman Panetta would offset costs; staff said that earmark applied to the dispatch console and radios for the city’s use rather than to RING infrastructure, and that the earmark has not yet been funded by Congress. Staff said projected local figures are conditional on participation by member and subscriber agencies and that a true‑up process for radio counts is included in the agreement.
The council did not adopt a budget amendment at this meeting; staff said the first expenses would be scheduled in future fiscal years and would come back to council as part of annual budget processes.
