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Board reallocates $280,000 to improve county radio coverage and move to simulcast system
Summary
After years of reported radio 'black holes' county emergency staff requested and the board approved reallocation of $280,000 in CIP funds to restore a tower, add repeaters and move to a simulcast radio system to improve countywide emergency communications.
Patrick County supervisors approved reassigning capital improvement funds to update the county radio system, a project officials said will significantly reduce coverage gaps that impede emergency communications.
Emergency Management Coordinator Scottie Castle described persistent coverage problems and a plan to return to a previously used tower, add repeaters on existing towers, license an additional channel for the Ararat area and move the network to a simulcast system so all towers transmit in sync. Castle said the cost estimate has fallen to about $280,000 because of newer technology and negotiations to use an existing tower under a memorandum of understanding. "We've been trying to do this since 2016... but with more technology coming available ... we have that down to $280,000 now," he said.
Board members discussed the need to ensure the county gets the most coverage from any cell/tower permits and to budget for radio replacements for county vehicles; staff said radio upgrades would be phased and programmed so a turn‑key switch to digital would be possible once hardware is in place. The board voted to reallocate the identified CIP funding to tower maintenance and simulcast installation.
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