Commissioners approve updated P25 radio MOU as annual maintenance jumps

Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved an updated memorandum of understanding for users of the county’s P25 Phase 2 public-safety radio system after officials said maintenance costs are set to rise sharply.

County leadership told the court the built-in seven-year maintenance/upgrade term will increase the annual maintenance obligation from roughly $325,000 to $861,000. Judge (S1) said the county has subsidized users, previously providing the first 20 radios at no charge and charging $20 a month for additional radios; under the updated MOU that free allotment would be removed.

"We're going from 325,000 a year in annual maintenance to the first 7 years of 861,000," the judge said, describing the financial pressure on county coffers. Commissioners and first-responder representatives said the system’s interoperability and improved coverage are essential for officer safety but acknowledged the county cannot indefinitely absorb the increased cost.

Commissioner McCam (S3) noted the county began the multi-year project in earnest around 2018 and stressed that the system improves interagency communications across neighboring counties. Sheriff and first-responder representatives confirmed the system improved coverage compared with the older VHF network, though some large metal-roof buildings and deep interiors showed lingering reception issues during recent tests.

After discussion, Commissioner McCam moved to approve the updated MOU and Commissioner Tooley seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The court did not at the meeting set a specific per-radio fee or a detailed timeline for user billing; staff said subsequent communications and contracts would specify costs and implementation steps.