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County: $6.4M radio system underway; P25 digital migration seen as necessary for grants and interoperability
Summary
County staff told the board the public safety radio upgrade is a multi‑year, $6.4 million project intended to meet P25 digital standards, improve coverage and interoperability, and qualify the county for additional state or federal grant opportunities; staff said the project is proceeding under contract and that a supplemental grant application is in the legislative process.
Emergency communications staff updated the board on the county’s multi‑year public safety radio upgrade. Staff described the current contract amount (discussed as $6.4 million) and said the new system will be P25‑capable, allowing interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions and eligibility for certain state and federal grants. The update stressed life‑safety reasons for the upgrade — reducing static, expanding coverage, and eliminating reliance on vehicular repeaters — and noted the county’s loan and deposit arrangements for the project.
The presentation also covered the board’s prior actions (including contract negotiation and borrowing) and said staff have applied for additional appropriations; the county reported making the first cut in a legislative appropriations process. Board members asked about vehicle repeater costs, grant timing, and the project’s turn‑on date, which staff referred to as a target in late 2026. Staff emphasized that once contracts are signed and funds borrowed, pausing the project would be difficult without financial consequences.
No new contractual action was taken at the meeting; the board was briefed and staff said they will continue design reviews and vendor negotiations as the project progresses.
