Oak Grove approves $47,482 purchase of solar outdoor warning siren

The Oak Grove Board of Aldermen voted Jan. 5 to purchase and install a solar‑powered electronic outdoor warning siren near Southeast Chelsea Lane and 4th Street at an estimated total cost of $47,482, including installation. Mayor (chairing the meeting) and city staff said the unit supports voice messages and six tones, and does not require commercial power, making it more resilient during outages.

"This is a, authorization to purchase, according to the capital budget, an outdoor warning siren for a new location…" Mark, a city staff member involved in the project, told the board, describing the device as electronic (rather than electromechanical) and able to deliver voice messages as well as multiple tones. He estimated delivery around August or September and said installation normally takes "a week or two" once parts arrive.

Board members asked about budget and installation timing; Mark said the purchase was included in the current capital budget. One member noted the city already has sirens more than 25 years old and that the new unit’s concrete pole should last longer and resist vandalism. After a motion and second, the board approved the purchase by voice vote.

The board did not provide a roll‑call tally in the meeting record. The staff presentation said the system will operate on batteries and charge from commercial power when available; the council did not discuss a specific funding source beyond the capital budget allocation during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will place the order and coordinate delivery and installation timelines; Mark said the city expects delivery in late summer and installation within approximately one to two weeks of arrival.