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Board directs staff to add emergency radio tower to improve Gold Hill coverage, caps cost at $250,000
Summary
To address a known VHF/UHF dead spot in Gold Hill, the board authorized county staff to install one emergency radio communications tower on county property near the Virginia City Public Workshop, with a budget not to exceed $250,000 from FY26 capital funds.
The Story County Board of County Commissioners directed county staff to add one emergency radio communications tower on county‑owned property near the Virginia City Public Workshop to improve VHF and UHF radio coverage in Gold Hill.
IT Director James Dean said Gold Hill’s steep canyon geography creates a longstanding radio dead spot. He recommended siting the tower on county property near the public works location for line‑of‑sight to adjacent ridges and to avoid acquisition issues. The board authorized the work not to exceed $250,000 from FY26 capital project funds.
Commissioner Mitchell moved to direct staff to proceed; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. James Dean said the site will support future expansion to regional radio systems and will prioritize public‑safety coverage in the canyon community.
