Commission approves $18,000 to encrypt sheriff's handheld radios after neighboring agencies switch systems

The Box Elder County Commission approved an $18,000 expenditure from LATCF to upgrade handheld radios used by the sheriff's office so deputies can communicate with neighboring agencies that have moved to encrypted radio channels.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Kate Palmer told commissioners the change is necessary because neighboring agencies have switched to encrypted channels and the county's handheld radios are not currently capable of encryption. "So I'm coming and asking for approximately $18,000 to upfit our radios so that they can do the encrypted channels," Palmer said, explaining the cost is about $500 per handheld radio for an initial 33 units. She added that in-car radios were already "future-proofed" and would not require additional funds now, and that the office expects to need upgrades on up to 60 more radios later.

Commissioner Perry moved to authorize the $18,000 LATCF expenditure for the sheriff's handheld radios; the motion was seconded and carried. County staff had earlier noted an LATCF balance of $682,006.77, which was offered as context for the funding decision. Perry also cautioned that state law discussed during the legislative session could limit the county's ability to reestablish a local 911 center if the existing dispatch center were to shut down, underscoring the commission's interest in maintaining interoperability.