Committee votes 4–1 to delay applying for $795,816 911 upgrade grant

The Marquette County Judicial & Public Safety Committee voted 4–1 on Aug. 5 to direct Sheriff Konrath not to proceed with a grant application for a proposed Vesta replacement of the county’s Callworks 911 system.

Sheriff Konrath told the committee Callworks will no longer be supported after 2028 and presented a Baycom quote for $795,816.95 with an estimated county match of $79,581.69. The committee learned the federal grant application is due Aug. 25, with award notification expected in October and a June 1, 2028 closeout if awarded. The committee motion (moved by Chuck Bornhoeft and seconded by Lance Achterberg) to delay the submission carried 4–1; Mary Walters cast the lone dissent.

Committee members and IT staff said they wanted more competitive bids and additional options before committing county resources. Chairperson Judi Nigbor requested the county obtain additional quotes; Vice Chair Lance Achterberg and IT Director Dan Buchholz noted other providers offer Motorola-based solutions.

The committee motion does not prohibit future grant applications; it directs Sheriff Konrath to hold off on submitting the current application while staff pursue alternatives. The county was told the grant would require a down payment of roughly 40% (as described in the vendor materials), and officials said they would likely need to explore borrowing or other budget mechanisms to fund the county’s share.

Next steps: staff will seek additional vendor quotes and return to the committee with updated procurement options and funding scenarios ahead of any future application deadline.