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Lincoln County prioritizes patrol vehicles over radio upgrade as grant timing remains uncertain
Summary
Facing a substantial vehicles bill and a delayed federal grant, county officials decided to prioritize purchasing patrol vehicles this fiscal year and defer parts of a radio/dispatch upgrade while exploring grants, PILT funds and impact fee options.
County officials moved into the sheriff's department budget with a focus on personnel, vehicle upfits and communications equipment. Staff added a previously omitted vehicle upfit line and confirmed a new wage adjustment (including a 1% increase for continuing detention staff), then presented a vehicles total of about $300,940.
Officials said a grant that might have offset vehicle costs was delayed at the federal level and resubmitted through an external office; staff cautioned that, even if approved in a future cycle, funds would not arrive before March, complicating near-term planning. As a result, the chair and staff said vehicles are the first priority for this fiscal year if funding is constrained: “The vehicles have to have to be so that will be your first priority.”
The group also discussed a planned radio/dispatch upgrade under technology line 215. Staff described vendor options—Harris (recommended for dispatch functionality and scalability), Bosch (more generalized) and Motorola (deemed too costly)—but said total costs are not yet known. Officials indicated they would defer or scale back radio console and dispatch upgrades until vehicle funding is resolved or alternative grants are secured.
To cover shortfalls, participants discussed pursuing additional grants and DOJ or other federal funding, but said timing is uncertain. Commissioners also raised the possibility of shifting some costs to PILT (payments in lieu of taxes) or pursuing an impact/public-safety fee on new subdivisions to generate targeted funding for patrol cars or rural fire/EMS satellite stations; staff said advancing an impact fee requires planning-board engagement.
Other items flagged for follow-up included a large 'other purchases' line (about $184,000) for staff review and a city–county animal control request that staff expect to propose in the $20,000–$25,000 range. A separate facilities update covered radio towers at the Blackview building, where waterlogged plywood, venting and a needed shed roof were discussed; participants noted eventual costs associated with removing equipment from a Crown Castle tower.
The chair asked staff to remove the vehicles radio line item from the current worksheet for now and to circulate updates once grant prospects and reviewed 'other purchases' are clarified.
