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County begins radio-system transition; some truck radios must be replaced
Summary
Steele County told commissioners the dispatch center and portables are switched to a new encrypted radio system but several truck radios purchased in 2019 are incompatible with updated state standards; the county purchased replacement radios and will seek trade-in or resale options to reduce net cost.
County staff updated commissioners on Feb. 3 that Steele County’s dispatch and portable radios have switched to the new statewide radio system but several truck radios bought in 2019 are not compatible with updated state encryption and standards.
Staff said the county evaluated reprogramming older radios versus buying new units and chose to purchase new radios to meet current requirements; the expense will be covered largely from Wayne’s budget and available overweight funds. A figure mentioned in the meeting for the purchase was "30" (as stated in the transcript); staff said they would try to use trade-in programs or resell old equipment where possible to offset costs.
Staff also reported that dispatch is short-staffed and that integrating city sirens into the new system would cost an estimated $4,000–$8,000 per city; commissioners asked technical questions about who would have authority to trigger sirens and whether the county or cities would fund those connections.
Staff committed to further research trade-in options with Motorola and to bring more precise cost figures back to the commission.
