Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Communications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrison County authorizes short‑term financing to accept Homeland Security equipment grant for new tower
Summary
County staff said a $750,000 Homeland Security award covers most equipment costs for a Smyrna tower but leaves roughly $337,000; the court authorized a one‑year lease/financing arrangement so the county can accept current pricing and complete the project.
County staff told the commissioners that the county has been awarded a $750,000 Homeland Security grant for equipment to add to the Smyrna tower site but that equipment costs exceed the award by about $337,000.
"We were awarded $750,000, which part, TxDOT agreed that they would again do the tower side of it, and we would do the equipment side. Now the $750,000 leaves us about $337,000 short of the total bill," the staff member said, explaining the county planned to enter a lease for the remaining equipment cost to lock current pricing.
The county proposed financing roughly $900,000 for one year to cover purchase timing; staff said intent is to complete the project, add the funds into next year’s budget and pay the balance off early if possible. Commissioners discussed the first payment date in contract documents and confirmed there were no objections to early repayment.
The court approved the financing documents and related agreements by unanimous vote. The staff member noted the urgency: pricing could increase by about 10% if documents were not executed by the close of business that day.
The approved financing is structured as short‑term lease financing to bridge the gap until the county can budget and pay the remaining balance. The county expects TxDOT to contribute the tower portion while the county funds equipment and installation.
