Council authorizes police radio purchases amid federal upgrade mandate; accepts $20,000 donation for police and fire

Police Chief Arnoski asked the council to authorize purchasing five Motorola NX-70 radios to replace radios reaching end-of-support. The council approved the purchase, recorded in the meeting as 'not to exceed $41,030.20.'

Arnoski explained the NX-70 radios comply with a federal interoperability/upgrade requirement and that the department still needs additional radios — roughly 27 portable units and 13 vehicle units — to complete the systemwide changeover. He said departments are working in small batches and hoping grant funding will appear to offset the expense; the council discussed potential group purchases and volume discounts.

Council members asked where the five radios would be deployed; Arnoski replied they would likely be placed in the CRO office initially and phased into officer equipment as the broader replacement proceeds. When asked about the compliance deadline, Arnoski said the federal date was Oct. 26 (year noted in meeting), and that jurisdictions must have a plan to achieve compliance.

Later in the meeting, Chiefs Keane and Arnoski reported an anonymous $20,000 memorial donation from the McKenzie family; Council member Dole moved to accept $20,000 (allocated $10,000 each to the fire and police departments). The motion passed unanimously. Chief Keane said the donor asked that the gift be used for something beneficial to the departments and that staff will determine appropriate uses.