County discusses creating grant to help towns buy encrypted radios; Winchester requests county help

Winchester Deputy Chief Brandon Barduller told commissioners he surveyed local law-enforcement agencies about radio upgrades and encryption and reported Winchester and Modoc still need radios, while other agencies have already upgraded at their own expense. Barduller said the quoted per‑radio cost in his paperwork was about $2,359.28 and that Winchester was requesting half of a $33,029.92 total (roughly $16,000) as county assistance; he also noted there will be a per‑radio reprogramming fee to enable encryption.