Bedford County approves MOU to let Shelbyville join county TACN public-safety radio system

Bedford County commissioners unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding on April 14 that allows the City of Shelbyville to integrate into the county's Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN), a Project 25-compatible trunked radio system used for mission-critical public-safety communications.

The commission voted to approve the MOU after it was placed on the agenda by the Public Safety Committee. Commissioner Linda Yockey moved approval and Commissioner Scott Johnson seconded; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Under the MOU, Shelbyville must procure and install the additional capacity-enhancing equipment it needs at its own expense and may be required to purchase Motorola Solutions-compatible subscriber radios and related infrastructure to ensure compatibility with TACN. The city will be responsible for ongoing maintenance, repair, programming and replacement of its radios, and must comply with system policies, talkgroup assignments and technical standards. The county will grant access subject to successful integration and testing and will provide technical guidance and system documentation as appropriate.

The agreement anticipates future cost-sharing for system upgrades that benefit multiple users; any cost-sharing would be negotiated and documented in a later amendment or separate agreement and would be subject to appropriation by each governing body. The MOU language also states the city will not be responsible for costs unrelated to its participation or benefit.

Commissioners did not amend the MOU during the meeting. The motion record in the minutes shows the item passed unanimously; the county clerk's office retains the signed MOU and supporting packet materials.