County updates timeline for radio towers, RF equipment and ARPA deadlines

County staff and project managers updated commissioners on the status of the countywide radio and communications infrastructure project.

Mark Grimes reported that construction permits for White Rock and White Towers have been approved and that the county is awaiting a special-use permit signature expected within two weeks. RF equipment is slated to be ordered by March 31 with delivery in the third quarter; towers and shelters have been ordered but carry longer lead times, with current expectations around 2026. A Motorola project team is scheduled to be onsite April 22 to inspect sites and review access and sidewalk work at the forestry site.

Project leads emphasized the importance of meeting federal and ARPA-related deadlines, and staff said prior pre-work (FAA and environmental reviews) shortened the project timeline by an estimated six months. Commissioners asked about access roads to tower sites and whether county or federal work would be required to prepare connector roads; staff said forestry crews had cleared access paths after the storm and that a short connector would need maintenance and widening before major equipment can be brought in.