Platte County Commission approves public-safety software, communications and bridge contract; actions pass unanimously

Platte County commissioners on Feb. 2 unanimously approved a series of routine contracts spanning public-safety software, communications infrastructure and a federally funded bridge replacement.

The meeting approved an annual renewal of CommanderOne software and support with Federal Signal Corporation to provide redundancy for the county’s weather/emergency sirens. Jeffrey Shanks, speaking for the sheriff’s office, said the renewal keeps the county’s siren redundancy intact and confirmed the budget impact is $8,325 and that “the funds are contained in the sheriff's 2026 budget.”

The commission also authorized a DroneSense acquisition for the sheriff’s unmanned aircraft system — a one-time expenditure Shanks described as a replacement for older software that improves flight data retention and FAA compliance. The budget impact for DroneSense is $12,600 and was funded from the sheriff’s 2026 budget.

Other approved items tied to public safety included a renewal of a tow-management contract with CFKAA Holdings LLC (Artura) to provide nonpreference tow dispatch and price protections ($10,000; previously budgeted) and Platte County’s share of the Scribe Stoppers tips hotline managed by the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission ($1,650).

The commission also approved a $23,216.80 contract with Midwest Mobile Radio Services to install an 11-gigahertz microwave link between the new sheriff’s office and the Kansas City radio tower, a step county staff said will integrate Platte County into the Kansas City public-safety radio system. Tony Avery described the work as part of migration off the 4.9 GHz spectrum and said the contract cost is included in the county’s 2026 budget.

On infrastructure, the commission voted to award a $1,084,921.75 contract to Wyld Construction to replace the South Crooked Road bridge (just south of Highway 45). Bob Heim, director of public works, said the project was submitted for federal reimbursement and is expected to be nearly fully funded by federal BRO funds and soft-match credits. Heim estimated construction could take “probably 2 and a half to 3 months if everything goes well,” and staff recommended approval. The motion passed 3-0.

The assessor’s office also received approval to replace a 2015 Ford F-150 with a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle for field inspections; the invoice value was $35,024 and the purchase uses the county’s bid contract and funds from the assessor’s assessment fund.

All recorded motions were approved by roll call with 3-0 tallies. No items were tabled or amended.

Votes at a glance • 2026CO002 — CommanderOne renewal (Federal Signal Corp.): $8,325 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO008 — DroneSense software: $12,600 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO009 — Tow services renewal (CFKAA/Artura): $10,000 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO010 — Scribe Stoppers hotline (KC Metropolitan Crime Commission): $1,650 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO011 — Midwest Mobile Radio 11 GHz microwave link: $23,216.80 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO013 — Assessor vehicle replacement: $35,024 — approved 3-0. • 2026CO014 — South Crooked Road bridge replacement (Wyld Construction): $1,084,921.75 — approved 3-0.

The commission adjourned at 10:25 a.m.