Committee uses $125,000 contingency to match statewide radio grant for WHISCOM 2.0

The Dunn County Committee on Administration approved on June 30 using $125,000 from the contingency fund as the county share to match a statewide radio grant intended to bring county first responders onto the state WHISCOM 2.0 system.

The sheriff explained that L3Harris is offering a substantial discount (described by staff as a 60% discount) on radios and that the state grant will cover a large portion of the cost; the county’s requested share for the sheriff’s and medical examiner’s radios was cited as about $128,000, but the contingency fund balance was $125,000 so the committee approved that lower figure. Staff said the county requested radios for both portable (hip) units and vehicle (mobile) units, with counts discussed in committee (about 44 portables and 42 mobile radios). The sheriff and other staff emphasized improved in-building capability (Wi‑Fi‑capable portables) and interoperability prospects with surrounding counties and the state patrol once WHISCOM 2.0 is fully implemented.

Committee members discussed the program’s scale across the county; staff said Dun County’s portion is a fraction of a larger, roughly $2.4 million grant package they had helped assemble for multiple local agencies. Supervisors moved and approved using $125,000 of contingency funds to secure the county’s equipment purchases and to be ready for the anticipated statewide rollout.