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Hillsdale County outlines radio tower rollout and CAD integration as 9‑1‑1 upgrades move forward
Summary
County staff told commissioners foundations and civil work for three new radio towers are starting, one site requires larger pylons increasing concrete needs, and CAD/CAD integration and backup arrangements with neighboring counties are underway; activation and mid‑2026 rollout targets remain.
County dispatch staff updated the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners on the status of a multi‑site radio and communications upgrade tied to the recently approved 9‑1‑1 equipment purchases.
Staff said civil work and driveway construction for the three tower sites were scheduled to begin the week of the meeting, with foundations expected to be completed by October and steel stacking to begin in November. One site near Litchfield requires nearly double‑sized pylons because of soil conditions, which will increase concrete costs, staff said.
On interoperability, dispatch staff reported an established VPN tunnel to exchange CAD (computer‑aided dispatch) data with neighboring counties and ongoing work to map unit identifiers so agencies can see unit statuses and locations across systems. The staff noted that once the county’s new radio system is complete, partnering counties such as Jackson could take calls if Hillsdale’s facility went offline; under the current radio system, that full backup was not possible.
Project timeline notes included a target activation date mentioned for one milestone of July 26 and a mid‑2026 rollout target for full implementation. Staff also reported they inspected equipment in Holland and had samples at the dispatch center for agencies to review. Training and using the dispatch training room for radio system instruction were also discussed.
The board discussed the project’s sequencing, the potential for local suppliers to participate in concrete work, and the benefit of purchasing some equipment directly rather than through a consortium to reduce cost. Staff said project roll‑out remains on track but that timing could vary by site because of soil and curing requirements.
