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County updates FEMA/VDEM grants and public safety radio timeline; staff urges caution on federal 'if' language
Summary
Staff said FEMA grants for a generator and hurricane‑hardening total about $180,600 with roughly $172,000 reimbursable, but cautioned that federal guidance may change; CTA presented a multi‑phase radio system timeline with final cutover expected around Dec. 21, 2026.
County staff briefed the board on a set of federal grants routed through VDEM and on progress with the public safety radio and communications upgrade.
Staff reported FEMA/VDEM awards totaling about $180,600 (a $93,450 generator award and an $87,001.50 hurricane hardening award) and said the county's required match would be modest if federal reimbursements are approved; staff cautioned that the letter from VDEM included conditional wording and said they will not obligate spending until federal guidance is confirmed. "I'm worried about the if," staff said, explaining the county will delay spending until guidance is clear and the match is scheduled in the FY26 budget.
Separately, CTA provided a detailed design review and timelines for the radio system: phase 1 completion in May, equipment staging in August, phase 2 completion in October 2025, phase 3 completion in May 2026 and final system closeout and cutover targeted for Dec. 21, 2026. Staff noted the importance of doing testing with foliage on trees to verify microwave signal performance.
