Next Monday will see the third consecutive meeting at which the Carroll County Board of Supervisors will discuss a replacement radio system. Last week, consultant, Rey Freeman, made a recommendation that the county go with a proposal from Motorola to become a part of the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS). He outlined pricing for the leasing of space on three towers, Coon Rapids, Manning and Lidderdale, to improve portable reception in and outside of buildings as well as the option to purchase or lease from Motorola. Supervisor, Rich Ruggles, opened the conversation about ways to cover cost estimates ranging from just shy of $4 million to slightly more than $4.5 million.
Ruggles also wanted to make sure the supervisors kept the option of selling farmland on the table.
Chair, Neil Bock, agreed about keeping the farm sale as a viable option, pointing out they could set a minimum required for sale. He added this is, first and foremost, one of the best investments the board can make.
Gene Meiners also wanted time to explore the leasing and purchase proposals. He said the best course of action may be a combination of the two, entering into a lease with the option to purchase at a later date. Dean Schettler said the presentation last Tuesday answered a lot of his questions.
Schettler agreed that going with a lease to start is probably the best option. Bock broached the subject of a contribution from the City of Carroll as they will reap the largest benefit from a new system. For example, he said, the community of Manning is contributing by offering a very reasonable tower rental rate and foregoing the higher amounts they could charge a private entity. Schettler said he would like to see the board avoid a situation like the current arrangement the county has with the city on the use of the communication center and the issues raised with shared expenses. Motorola has also offered a nearly half million dollar incentive for the county in a discount if they enter into an agreement by Sept. 27. Bock said he would like to see a decision made next Monday in order to take advantage of those savings.
