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Athens County outlines MARCS radio migration, commissioners warn about possible user-fee impacts
Summary
County 9-1-1 and fire reps described a phased migration from VHF to the Ohio MARCS digital radio system, with many departments receiving grant awards but uncertainty about future per-radio user fees after July 1, 2027. Commissioners urged trustees to pursue grants and coordinated lobbying.
County 9-1-1 staff and fire department representatives briefed the Athens County Board of Commissioners on plans to migrate fire radio communications from the aging VHF simulcast system to the Ohio MARCS digital network.
9-1-1 Director Fouts-Imler told commissioners that most departments have applied for state MARCS grants (many receiving awards of about $42,500) and that most departments — except a few including Albany and Waterloo — indicated they could be functionally ready by mid-2026 if the county proceeds with a…
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