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Mason authorizes purchase of 34 Motorola portable radios after state encryption requirement; council declares emergency
Summary
Citing a 2025 state law requiring encrypted, trackable radio transmissions, council authorized purchase of 34 Motorola portable radios and accessories (not to exceed $129,524) to replace noncompliant units and expand staff communications for events; an emergency clause was added for timely delivery and programming.
Mason City Council voted April 13 to authorize purchase of 34 portable radios and related equipment from Motorola Solutions for up to $129,524 and included an emergency clause to allow prompt delivery and programming.
Staff explained that a 2025 state law requires radio transmissions to be encrypted and trackable and that many older county radios do not comply; Mason identified six noncompliant radios used primarily for incident command that must be replaced. The proposal would replace those units and add additional radios to provide consistent two‑way communications for staff during large events such as Red Rhythm and Boom and for emergency incident command.
The total cost was presented as $129,524 with a limited‑time trade‑in credit that reduced the net cost by about $10,000. Council member Beck asked for clarification that the additional radios were intended for staff event use rather than police or fire (which maintain separate inventories); staff confirmed that the new radios are intended to improve incident command and staff communications.
Council adopted the ordinance with an emergency clause to accommodate delivery and programming needs and approved the purchase by roll call vote.
