Oak Grove approves application for Blue Shield grant to replace failing police radios

The Oak Grove Board of Aldermen on Aug. 18 voted to allow the police department to apply for Missouri’s Blue Shield grant program to replace aging portable radios.

Police Chief told the board the department was designated a Blue Shield recipient earlier in 2025 and that the state program released reimbursement funds for designated departments. Chief said about half of the department’s portable radios have reached the end of their useful life and cannot be repaired because parts are no longer available. “We have 12 of those that have reached a life cycle that can no longer be repaired,” the chief said, explaining that the department had purchased a few replacements over recent years but needs to replace the remainder.

The replacement cost for 12 radios is about $69,000; the Blue Shield reimbursement would cover up to $50,000 if the city’s application is approved, leaving an estimated local share of roughly $19,000. The chief said the purchase would be a sole-source procurement from the radio vendor and that the vendor would salvage usable parts from returned units.

Aldermen voted to approve submitting the grant application. If the grant is awarded, staff will return to the board to request a budget amendment to cover the local share and complete the purchase.