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Commission tables radio upgrade as cost, vehicle custody dispute with sheriff surfaces
Summary
Chattahoochee County commissioners tabled a proposal to upgrade the county's public-safety radio system pending revised quotes and further work-session consideration; during the work session a dispute emerged over a newly purchased county truck the sheriff had taken, prompting the chair to order its return after an executive session.
Chattahoochee County commissioners on Jan. 6 and Jan. 26 considered an upgrade to the county's public-safety radio system and debated costs and procurement procedures after an unrelated dispute over a county vehicle.
A vendor demonstration by Southern Link showed two radio models and prompted discussion of interoperability, repeaters and price. County Manager Thomas Weaver told the board that the sheriff has expressed a preference for a high-end radio that the manager characterized as costing about $70,000 and said the sheriff had “no interest in anything else”; commissioners noted neighboring Muscogee County as a nearby user of higher-end radios but emphasized the county must weigh costs and keep existing repeaters as backups. Commissioner Jason Frost urged support for public safety while pressing county staff to seek more affordable options and potential grant funding.
The board voted unanimously to table the radio upgrade until commissioners receive a revised quote and further information at a called work session. Weaver said he would seek competing quotes, including a Motorola representative, and pursue grant opportunities and discussions with nearby jurisdictions such as Stewart County to explore repeater-sharing.
Separately, work-session discussion focused on county vehicles after commissioners learned that a newly purchased truck had been taken into sheriff custody before inspection, insurance or registration by county staff. The issue was raised during Jan. 26 executive session on personnel and legal matters; when the board reconvened, Chairman Charles Coffey said the subjects fit legal exceptions for a closed meeting and instructed the sheriff to return the truck to the county manager's office by noon Friday or return the truck promised as part of a trade.
Commissioners said a vehicle-use policy is needed to establish county ownership until assignment, requirements for inspection, insurance and tags, and a clear chain of custody. Commissioner Frost said the lack of tags and insurance posed a liability risk and that commissioners should pursue a policy rather than informal arrangements. The board added county-vehicle policy discussion to future agenda planning and tabled any immediate policy vote.
