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County outlines plan for communications network: three shorter towers, partnerships and potential $13M from reserves
Summary
County staff updated supervisors on a communications/radio project, reporting a failed structural evaluation at the Ellison Bay Education tower, a plan for up to three shorter (≈180-ft) sites, partnership interest from Nsight and Vertical Bridge, and a draft that would use $13 million from undesignated reserves to lower bonding needs.
County communications project manager Ashley Degrave gave a detailed status report on the countywide radio and communications upgrade.
Degrave said a structural study at the Ellison Bay Education tower failed for the new gear, prompting a plan that would add three sites in the northern area with antennas at about 180 feet to avoid FAA lighting requirements and provide redundancy. "This is a fluid project and it can change from day to day," Degrave told the board, noting partners Nsight and Vertical Bridge have expressed interest in co-locating on the proposed sites.
Staff described contingencies for purchase offers (environmental, geotechnical, FAA, FCC approvals) and said several local parcels are under review; one EMS central site the county now owns could be modified to provide required height. Degrave also presented a budget update: partnership commitments reduce county construction costs, and the 2026 proposed budget includes a potential designation of $13,000,000 from the undesignated fund balance that would lower the county's bonding need to about $6.8 million. Supervisors said the board will try to use cash first to minimize bonding and pursue partnerships with Brown County that might qualify the county for an innovation grant.
No construction contract or final design was approved at the meeting; staff said site evaluations and further partnership negotiations will continue and construction may start in 2026 depending on funding and partnerships.
