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Soddy‑Daisy approves cell tower lease and donates Motorola consoles to HC 911
Summary
On Feb. 19 the Soddy‑Daisy Board approved donating three Motorola consoles to HC 911 and authorized a $14,000 annual payment tied to a cell‑tower lease on Sneed Road, pending City Attorney approval; commissioners voted unanimously on both items.
The Soddy‑Daisy Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 approved two measures intended to strengthen local radio and cellular communications: the donation of three Motorola dispatch consoles to HC 911 and authorization to sign a lease with Hamilton County for a cell tower on Sneed Road once the City Attorney signs off on the lease language.
City Manager Johnson told the board the city would pay $14,000 annually under the proposed lease while Hamilton County’s annual fee would be $24,000; he said the county received grant funding and about $1 million of equipment will be installed as part of the project. Johnson also said the city previously paid for Everbridge mass notifications at $8,500 a year and that those savings will help cover the city’s share of tower costs. Fire Chief Morgan provided a coverage map and said the Sneed Road tower should reduce local dead zones; Police Chief Petty said the lease and equipment should resolve existing radio issues.
The board voted unanimously to surplus and donate three Motorola consoles to HC 911 after City Manager Johnson read an email from Jeff Carney of HC 911 explaining intended county use. The board then voted unanimously to approve payment of $14,000 annually and to authorize the city to sign the Sneed Road lease after the City Attorney approves the language. Commissioner Beene moved to donate the consoles; Commissioner Everett seconded. Commissioner Everett moved the lease approval; Commissioner Keith seconded. Both motions passed by voice vote with unanimous support.
City Manager Johnson said the lease term is intended to be long term — he described it as "forever" while noting that escalator provisions are likely to be built into the agreement. He said the city has worked on the project for three to four years. The board did not vote on final lease language at the meeting; signing was conditioned on City Attorney approval.
The actions are intended to address persistent coverage gaps: Johnson said current coverage comes from White Oak Mountain near I‑75 and that the Sneed Road tower will provide more complete local coverage. The lease and the console donation conclude the items before the commission at Tuesday’s meeting.
