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County weighs centralizing 911 dispatch and a multimillion‑dollar radio upgrade
Summary
Communications leaders asked council to consider consolidating dispatch and commit to one‑time and recurring funding to replace microwave links, move phone service off copper lines and begin planning a $6 million countywide radio system that would improve interoperability.
Captain Justin Ward presented the communications and 911 center requests and said the county currently provides dispatch and 911 service to four of five municipalities; he described talks with Senica about the city’s dispatch and said absorbing that workload would likely require roughly four additional full‑time employees.
Ward warned of an impending transition in telephone infrastructure after AT&T is phasing out copper lines and requested a recurring $12,000 increase for voice service and an initial cost to swap office phones. Ward also requested $150,000 in one‑time capital to replace aging microwave links that tie county radio sites together and explained the links are increasingly failing during storms.
Speaking about long‑term options, Ward and staff estimated a countywide interoperable radio system that covers mountainous terrain and provides trunking and redundancy could cost in the neighborhood of $6 million; both Ward and other members said the cost should be shared with municipalities. "AT&T's notified us that as of November of 2026 that they they have the right to disconnected any time," Ward said, stressing the timing for a VOIP transition.
Council members asked staff to develop cost‑sharing options (equal share, prorated by call volume or a special millage for incorporated areas) and to return with a financing and phasing plan that leverages possible 911 fund reimbursements where allowable.
