The Morgan County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 18 for approximately two hours, discussing multiple agenda items, including an agreement for the Oconee Area-Wide Radio System.
The Motorola 700/800 MHz P25 system is designed to improve communications among Morgan County’s public safety departments. The radio system would also be supported by two T-Mobile cell towers serving the Rutledge and Buckhead areas.
Morgan County Fire Rescue’s (MCFR) alternative would be to rely on a UHF system with an estimated price tag of $4 million to $5 million and an annual cost of approximately $100,000.
The Board of Commissioners previously discussed the issue following a presentation and recommendation from MCFR officials in June. Commissioners ultimately approved the recommendation during the summer session.
According to Tuesday’s meeting agenda, MCFR’s consideration of the Motorola Solutions Customer Agreement follows three years of work to replace its existing VHF radio system. The proposed “four-site buildout” will cost up to $7,751,550, with annual costs not to exceed $345,000.
The agenda stated that the annual cost would include contributions from the Morgan County Board of Education and the City of Madison, as well as $40,000 in annual fees for OARS access.
According to the report, funding for the initial capital cost could be secured, with the board’s approval, by pooling resources that include:
- $4 million in remaining SPLOST 7 funds.
- $1.5 million in SPLOST 8 funds designated for radio system upgrades.
- $1 million in remaining SPLOST 8 funds designated for broadband.
- $3.1 million in unallocated SPLOST 8 infrastructure funds.
Multiple commissioners weighed in with both support and concerns regarding the proposed radio system.
“P25 is pretty much the standard and opens the door for us for some grants,” said Nathan Park, District 5 commissioner. “Everybody out here (MCFR), y’all are going to be the ones using this system, and if y’all think this is the best thing for the county, we need to put our trust in you guys.”
District 1 Commissioner Carl Jones agreed with Park, emphasizing that the resource would be necessary during emergencies regardless of its cost.
“I will tell you that this is an expensive system, and down the line, after three years, it’s gonna have some costs,” Jones said. “And those are my concerns, the cost of it, down the line. But we’re across that bridge. Personally, that’s a great system.
“I think it’s what public safety needs. It’s gonna allow us to speak with fellow agencies in the event of a major disaster.”
District 3 Commissioner Ben Riden and District 4 Commissioner Philipp Von Hanstein both expressed concerns about the funding needed to support the P25 system and where that money would come from.
“I’m convinced that this system is an option; however, I think we owe it to the taxpayer to look at all systems of equal or greater value in consideration of and agreement with the needs and actual cost of the system’s uses and partners,” Von Hanstein said. “We don’t have an agreement with the city; we don’t have an agreement with the school; we’re just dumping this stuff on them.”
“I don’t have a problem with this system at all, but I will not vote on a system until I see a full cost analysis on any alternative system,” Riden said. “I’ve had a bunch of [the taxpayers in my district] calling me, and I owe it to them, in my opinion, to get the cost vetted thoroughly.”
The Board of Commissioners ultimately approved the consideration of the Motorola Solutions Customer Agreement by a 3-2 vote.
Jones and Park voted in favor of the P25 system, while Riden and Von Hanstein opposed it because of financial concerns. District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Blake McCormack broke the tie, voting in favor of implementing the P25 system.