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Board debates Bug Tussle/Hilbert partnership versus Gencom build for public‑safety radio network; vote to postpone two weeks
Summary
Sawyer County supervisors debated two radio‑network options: a $16M multi‑county Bug Tussle/Hilbert bonding plan that would add broadband but create long‑term contingent liability, and a local Gencom option with higher up‑front county costs (~$2.75M). The board voted to postpone action for two weeks to allow additional due diligence.
The Sawyer County Board of Supervisors spent the largest portion of its special meeting debating two alternatives to upgrade the county’s public‑safety radio network: a partnership with Bug Tussle/Hilbert Communications that would leverage $16 million of county borrowing capacity within a multi‑county bond issuance, or a more county‑centric Gencom option in which the county would finance and build required towers and network equipment.
County project adviser Mitchell (representing Hilbert/Bug Tussle) and the county’s counsel and staff outlined tradeoffs. Andy Phillips, the county’s attorney on the project, summarized the legal structure and potential exposures: "I am the County's lawyer on this project," Phillips said, and he described how a Debt Service Reserve fund and a parent‑company guarantee from Hilbert would operate while cautioning that if the reserve is tapped participating counties would face allocated replenishment obligations. County staff reported that if the board chooses the Bug Tussle conduit model the county’s notional exposure on the portion of capacity it provides could be materially less up front (the staff estimate for the county’s incremental out‑of‑pocket cost under the Bug Tussle scenario was about $1.7 million) but would carry a long‑term contingent liability tied to a 30‑year bond structure.
By contrast, board advisers described a Gencom/Gencom‑contractor path that would require the county to issue or borrow approximately $2.7–$2.75 million for towers and network equipment but would leave the county with more direct control and fewer cross‑county revenue dependencies. PMA, the county’s financial adviser, produced a preliminary analysis but — because of time constraints — its credit team "was unable to provide information that they felt comfortable releasing," staff reported; the PMA summary the board received was dated Aug. 14.
Board members voiced competing priorities. Several supervisors emphasized the safety imperative for deputies and EMS in southern Sawyer County and urged speed to improve coverage: one supervisor said the project ‘‘puts money over people’s lives’’ and favored proceeding. Others raised concerns about 30‑year revenue assumptions, the absence of audited 2023 financials for Hilbert in the material provided, and the risk that multiple counties’ performance would be required to support the bonds.
A motion to approve Gencom as the county’s Public‑Safety Radio Network was made and seconded, but after extended discussion the board rescinded the immediate vote and instead voted to postpone the discussion and any possible action for two weeks to the regularly scheduled meeting so PMA and staff can pursue additional due diligence (including a fuller credit review and 2023 financials). The postponement motion carried.
Why it matters: The decision affects emergency communications coverage for law enforcement and EMS, county exposure to multi‑county bonding arrangements, and future broadband availability in parts of Sawyer County. The board prioritized additional financial review before taking on a potentially multi‑decade contingent liability.
Next steps: Staff and the finance committee will work with PMA and the proposer to obtain the outstanding financial documentation and a fuller credit analysis; the board scheduled the issue for follow‑up at its regular meeting in two weeks.
