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Public Safety Commission outlines costly radio upgrades, grant options and telehealth pilot
Summary
The Public Safety Commission reviewed radios for county vehicles (vendor quotes near $78,000 apiece), discussed using 911 funds or grants (Stone Garden) to pay, and mentioned a telehealth 'notebook' for field mental‑health response requiring cellular service.
Michael B. Lun, representing the Daniels County Public Safety Commission, briefed commissioners Feb. 17 on communications upgrades and related program items.
Lun said the county has been discussing a request for three new vehicle radios for the sheriff’s office and that quoted pricing for some units was “$78,000 a piece,” figures discussed in the meeting record. He described options for trading in or selling older radios to other county entities, and said the group was exploring whether to charge the expense to the 911 fund, the public safety mill levy or an alternative funding source. Lun also noted a proposal to move a repeater radio from the Flaxville water tower to a new tower north of the cemetery; updated vendor quotes for a GTR‑8000 base and related installation work were reviewed.
Lun told the commissioners to consider coordinating purchases with local fire and ambulance services so equipment can be trunkable and shared when appropriate. He also said staff would research whether Stone Garden grant funds could help pay for radios and equipment.
Separately, the commission discussed a mental‑health “notebook” telehealth program that would allow a person in crisis to connect by tablet to a remote clinician; the item would require cellular service on county towers rather than Wi‑Fi. No final procurement decision was recorded at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to coordinate needs across agencies and return with cost and funding recommendations.
