Myrtle Creek approves $50,000 transfer to buy radios after county accelerates system cutover

Myrtle Creek’s city council adopted Resolution 25-13 and approved an immediate purchase of police radios after staff said Douglas County moved up a planned public-safety radio-system cutover to January 2026.

Police staff told the council the county’s new digital, trunked UHF system will be encrypted and the city’s current portable and vehicle radios will not be compatible. The police chief presented two quotes: Complete Wireless Solutions estimated $78,422.62 to supply and install eight portable radios and three car radios (installation estimate included), while Motorola provided a quote of $110,507.33 (equipment only, installation excluded).

Faced with the accelerated timetable and higher costs, Finance staff told the council the practical option was to transfer funds from operating contingency into the police equipment budget. The administration reported a previously unpaid dispatch balance of $49,877.91 for invoices it had not been able to locate; county staff said some invoices had been mailed to a physical address instead of the city PO box and offered a plan to reconcile the balance. The council approved proceeding with the transfer and buying radios now to maintain interoperability with the county’s system.

Council then moved and approved a resolution authorizing a $50,000 transfer from non‑allocated operating contingency to the police-department equipment fund (Resolution 25-13) to allow the department to purchase the needed radios. A separate motion authorized purchasing radios from Complete Wireless Solutions for $78,422.62 and installation; the council discussed the higher Motorola quote and budget constraints but adopted the lower bid with the contingency transfer to make the purchase possible this fiscal year.

Police and finance officials said they will finalize procurement, track installation timing and adjust next year’s budget to fully cover the purchase and the county’s ongoing dispatch fees.