Kentucky State Police tell legislature $107M needed to finish statewide radio rebuild; KSP projects completion if fully funded
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Summary
Kentucky State Police presented a progress update on the statewide public‑safety radio replacement, reporting major phase completions, 56 remaining new sites and a $107,000,000 closeout request they say is required to finish the project within four years if funded July 1, 2026.
Kentucky State Police officials told a joint legislative committee that the multi‑year effort to replace and modernize the Commonwealth’s public‑safety radio system has reached major milestones but needs a $107,000,000 closeout appropriation to finish. Brandon Marshall, a contracted consultant on the project, told lawmakers much of the equipment has been purchased and is warehoused and that “this project cannot be completed without that funding request.”
Marshall said phase 2 of the project is fully funded and about “77 percent completed,” with 48 existing sites finished and 13 new sites pending acquisition; he said phase 3 equipment is bought but not yet installed and is expected to be in place at existing sites by the end of calendar year 2026. He told the committee that if the final funding is provided beginning July 1, 2026, the Commonwealth could finish work at existing sites by the end of fiscal year 06/30/2027 and complete the remaining work within four years of full funding.
David Barker, the state police communications branch manager, described recent operational gains: Post 1 and Post 2 are fully operational, Post 16 is now on the system, and local partners including Graves County and Mayfield police and emergency services are using the system and reporting strong performance. Barker said microwave and router upgrades have moved from roughly 70 sites completed at the last update to about 129 sites completed, with weather delaying one remaining microwave site.
Lawmakers pressed the presenters for a detailed master plan, timeline and clearer procurement oversight before releasing additional funds. Representative Smith said the committee has yet to receive a master timeline and urged that future funding be tied to measurable year‑by‑year goals; several members voiced a preference for milestone‑based releases. Senator Nunn and Representative Blanton asked whether a turnkey contract with a vendor such as Motorola would be feasible for the remaining 56 new (