Delaware County approves Motorola upgrade for radio prime site; commissioners clarify state funding limits

The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Resolution 25‑1079 on Dec. 18, authorizing a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. to upgrade the county's prime tower site to a next‑generation virtualized platform.

Slarn Dankannon, director of 9‑1‑1, said this upgrade is the first phase of a multi‑component program and is necessary because several components of the existing system are approaching end‑of‑life. "This is the first of several components of the system that will be reaching its end of life over the next several years," Dankannon said, adding the virtualized prime platform will allow the county’s components to interoperate and enable future upgrades.

Commissioners asked whether any state NextGen funding would pay for the radio equipment. Dankannon and Administrator Tracy Davies clarified that the legislative government assistance funding referenced by some was not available for radio hardware; the presenter said the statute specifically excludes radio equipment from those permitted uses. Dankannon also said Motorola offered a discount for contracting before the end of 2025. The board approved the contract and entered the procurement process by unanimous vote.

The county said the upgrade is budgeted and part of a planned multi‑year refresh of public‑safety communications infrastructure.