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County, sheriff at odds over radio upgrade and a county truck; commissioners order vehicle returned
Summary
County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the sheriff prefers an expensive radio upgrade; commissioners sought cheaper options and grant help. After an executive session, Chairman Charles Coffey directed the sheriff to return a county truck to the County Manager's office by Friday noon.
County leaders debated the cost and scope of a proposed public-safety radio upgrade at meetings in January and, following a closed session about personnel and legal matters, ordered the return of a county vehicle to the County Manager's office.
During a Jan. 6 demonstration Mr. Sullivan of Southern Link showed two radio models and discussed pros and cons. County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the sheriff prefers a higher-end radio system (the sheriff reportedly cited a $70,000 option) but Weaver and other commissioners stressed the need for a more affordable path. Weaver said he would seek additional quotes, including from Motorola, and pursue grant opportunities and possible repeater access from neighboring Stewart County.
Commissioner Jason Frost said he was “really passionate” about equipping public safety but emphasized fiscal caution and the importance of pursuing grant funding. Chairman Charles Coffey criticized what he described as poor coordination in a recent vehicle procurement and said the county had “bent over backwards” trying to accommodate law-enforcement requests. After the board entered an executive session on Jan. 26 to discuss personnel and legal matters, it reconvened and Coffey instructed that the sheriff return a county truck to the County Manager's office (or return the truck promised as a trade) by noon on Friday.
County officials framed the issue as both a public-safety and a fiscal-management question: commissioners want reliable communications for first responders but also want documented procurement, assignment and insurance procedures for county-owned vehicles. The county plans to add a vehicle-policy item to the Feb. 3 regular meeting agenda and have staff draft formal controls on purchase, assignment, inspection, insurance and tagging before further transfers.
Next steps: County Manager Weaver will solicit additional radio quotes and grant options and present a proposed vehicle policy at the Feb. 3 meeting; the sheriff was given a deadline to return the vehicle as directed by the chairman following executive session.
