Emergency manager asks redevelopment commission to consider funding for countywide radio sites; $2.9M–$4.07M options discussed

Ed Scott, the county emergency management representative, presented a proposal to strengthen Whitley County’s public‑safety radio infrastructure by adding additional radio sites to close coverage gaps in the county’s south and northwest corners.

Scott told the redevelopment commission that the problem has recurred for years and that recent incidents showed inside‑building coverage failures. "The solutions are either only certain areas can be improved by it and not the whole community ... every time we come back to an issue with communication in the county, it always comes back to the infrastructure," he said.

Scott said engineers and the public‑safety subcommittee evaluated options; the two‑site simulcast plan would provide county‑wide resiliency and interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions and responders. He gave budget estimates: "...it'd be both sides, which is what's the goal. And that would be a little almost $4,100,000," and for a single site he cited about "$2.9" million. He also outlined five‑year maintenance projections (roughly $878,000 for two sites, $493,000 for a single site) and said the commission would need to consider ongoing maintenance funding.

Commissioners asked about colocation on existing towers, proximity to industrial sites and whether the dispatch center could be made a tertiary live site for redundancy; Scott said some colocation options exist but that water‑tower placements carry operational burdens.

No formal funding vote was taken; commissioners expressed understanding of the safety rationale and asked Scott and staff to return with additional engineering and cost details. The commission agreed to follow up with questions and may consider funding options alongside other budget priorities.