Walled Lake approves interlocal agreement to join county P25 radio system
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Summary
Council approved a resolution to become a user on Oakland County’s P25 encrypted radio network; staff said radios were purchased and operations are funded via a monthly 911 surcharge and that radios cost about $7,200 each.
Walled Lake’s council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Oakland County to operate on the county’s P25 simulcast radio network, a county-managed encrypted communications system used by law enforcement and fire departments.
Police/communications staff explained the system and its financing. “We are users on the county's network on their radios, their radio system,” one staffer said. Staff said the radios themselves cost roughly $7,200 apiece and that communities fund operation through a monthly 911 surcharge collected by the county.
City Attorney review found no legal objection to the agreement’s form; the contract includes a 60-day notice provision allowing the city to exit if the service does not meet expectations. The council voted to approve resolution 2026-05 after O'Rourke moved the measure.
Why it matters: The P25 system provides encrypted, county-wide interoperability for public safety agencies and standardizes communications across municipalities; using the county network avoids direct capital outlays from the city’s general fund but ties some operations and replacement terms to county policy.
What’s next: Staff said the radios have already been purchased and that costs for operations will continue to flow through the county-managed surcharge. The city will implement the agreement under the county’s operating plan.
