Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cibolo moves to purchase Motorola APX Next radios for police and fire, chiefs say encryption and NFPA compliance drive need
Summary
Council heard a request to buy 50 police and 16 fire Motorola APX Next radios (~$748,247) to replace end-of-life equipment, add encryption and meet NFPA standards; chiefs said the radios improve interoperability and responder safety; council approved the purchase motion.
The Cibolo City Council on May 12 advanced a purchase request for Motorola APX Next radios for police and fire departments, with staff citing mission-critical communication needs, regional encryption standards and firefighter hardware standards as primary reasons for the upgrade.
Police leadership asked the council to authorize funding for 50 APX Next handheld radios for police and 16 APX Next XN radios for fire at an approximate total cost of $748,247. Police department leadership said the department currently relies on donated APX 7,000 radios that are at end of life and no longer supported. "These radios are our lifeline," the police presenter said, calling encryption and interoperability with regional dispatch partners essential to officer safety and coordinated emergency response.
Fire leadership said the requested radios would meet NFPA 1802 (portable radio performance) requirements introduced in 2021 and help avoid equipment failures in wet or high-heat conditions. The fire chief said current radios have failed in recent weather events and the new radios would provide a durable, tested platform with improved audio and safety features.
Council members asked how the purchase fits with staffing and future station operations; staff answered that radios for added personnel are included in future hiring and equipment plans and said they are considering a dedicated communications fund to smooth future replacements.
A councilmember moved to approve the purchase (agenda item 14e); a second was recorded and the motion proceeded. The transcript records a motion and second to approve the procurement and no objection was recorded in the public discussion; staff and chiefs will finalize purchasing logistics.
What happens next: staff will proceed with contract execution and asset assignment; council directed staff to create or identify funding pathways for future radio purchases as staffing grows.
