Myrtle Creek council approves $78,422 police radio purchase, addresses nearly $50,000 in back dispatch fees

Myrtle Creek’s City Council voted Sept. 15 to authorize the Police Department to buy upgraded radios and to adopt a $50,000 intra‑fund transfer to the Police Department.

Police Chief Jonathan Brewster told the council he received notice from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department identifying unpaid dispatch fees from portions of 2022–2025 that total $49,877.91. Brewster also reported that Douglas County has moved up a planned radio upgrade to January 2026; Complete Wireless Solutions quoted $78,422.62 for the equipment and installation. Finance Officer Lesley Hiscocks said she had spoken with an Under Sheriff’s secretary and that the city can pay the back due fees this fiscal year and catch up current fees in the next budget cycle.

Councilor Diana Larson moved to authorize the Police Department to purchase the radios and for Complete Wireless Solutions to install four mobile radios for $78,422.62; the motion passed unanimously. Separately, Councilor Robert Chaney moved to adopt Resolution 25‑13, authorizing a $50,000 transfer within the General Fund from Not Allocated Operating Contingency to the Police Department; that resolution also passed unanimously.

The Police Department had earlier reported selling a patrol vehicle through government bids for $9,500. The council did not identify additional funding sources in the meeting other than the intra‑fund transfer; Finance Officer Hiscocks noted the Oregon Department of Revenue representative suggested using contingency funds. The council directed staff to proceed with purchase and to record the transfer.