Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Radio topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors question rising tower rents, consider county tower option for radio upgrades
Summary
Officials warned that new public‑safety radio equipment and tower lease proposals could raise recurring costs; board members discussed analyzing build‑versus‑rent options and whether a county‑owned tower is more economical than escalating lease fees.
County staff and supervisors raised concerns about recurring charges from private tower owners for the new public‑safety radio system. Supervisors said several tower landlords are proposing monthly rents in the thousands for hosting upgraded equipment; one supervisor said a single proposed location could cost over $3,000 per month and that earlier informal arrangements may be changing to commercial rental models.
Board members asked staff and CTA (radio consultant) to analyze thresholds at which it would be cheaper to build a county tower (quoted in discussion at roughly $400,000 per tower) than pay escalating rents. Emergency management staff noted the new system increases shelter, generator and maintenance requirements for each tower, and agreed to coordinate follow‑up discussions with vendors and the sheriff's office.
