9-1-1 radio grant: staff seeks authorization to front $24,992 contract for radios reimbursed by state

Emergency communications staff asked the board to authorize purchase and contract signature for three multi-band portable radios awarded through the North Carolina 9-1-1 Board.

Staff said the grant award covers the full cost of $24,992.67 and that the county must front payment before submitting reimbursement paperwork. "The cost is $24,992.67, which all of it 100% is fully refundable back from the 9-1-1 board," the presenter said, adding that the county has until February 2025 to complete the reimbursement paperwork and must sign a contract by April 1 to move forward.

Staff explained the radios are multi-band and will sit on designated consoles as backups, allowing the county to communicate with other PSAPs and state emergency channels if the primary radio or phone systems fail. The board asked about funding availability and staff confirmed funds were on hand for the initial outlay.

The transcript records staff requesting authorization to sign the contract but does not record a formal roll-call vote in the excerpt; staff planned to return with contract documents for execution by the chair if the board concurs.