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Motorola radios pitched for public‑safety use; staff to seek approval in May
Summary
Staff recommended switching to Motorola radios for police and fire because of a built‑in 'callback' feature and urged a May presentation to secure financing; officials cited coverage gaps, a roughly $400,000 cost consideration, and bank timing that requires a June decision window.
City staff outlined plans to seek approval in May to lease or bond new radios for police and fire, recommending Motorola units for their built‑in "callback" capability and citing coverage and safety concerns.
A fire‑department official (identified in the transcript only by role) said during the meeting that "Motorola is the only radio that has this already built into it," and argued that the feature is important for areas with poor reception. The speaker added, "If it saves 1 of our firefighters' life, that $400,000 to make sure that those guys are protected," framing the additional cost as a safety investment.
The discussion centered on operational tradeoffs and financing. A staff member noted that non‑Motorola options would require additional Wi‑Fi or LTE equipment in some areas, including parts of South Whitley, which could create phone and connectivity issues. Participants said vendors offered lease options and that a 10‑year lease or bond was under consideration to align equipment purchases with vehicle financing. Speakers also said banks typically cannot supply final financing numbers until roughly 90 days before equipment delivery, creating a practical need to reach a decision by June.
Police experience was part of the rationale. A police representative said the department has used Motorola radios for more than 18 years and offered verbal support for continuing with the brand.
Staff emphasized timing and phased implementation: current work radios were said to have about two years of service left, and staff said a software transition would not happen immediately even if approved. One staff member said they will return in May to ask for formal approval; if approved, they indicated the new software and equipment integration might not take full effect until the following May.
Officials also briefly reviewed related enforcement work funded through an Indiana Criminal Justice Institute grant. A police representative said the targeted enforcement resulted in "27 citations, 5 criminal charges, and several issued warrants." The meeting record showed no formal motion or vote on procurement during this session.
Next steps: staff will bring a formal proposal in May seeking approval to move forward with the recommended radios and software transition. No formal action was taken at this meeting; financing and exact costs will be confirmed once banks provide final numbers approximately 90 days before equipment delivery.
