Commissioners approve limited Consumers Energy access to county radio system over one dissent

The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 May 26 to authorize an Emergency Telephone Services Board (ETSB) agreement allowing Consumers Energy Company to add radios to the countys Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) under an approved template and to authorize related equipment distribution agreements for local police, fire and EMS agencies.

County staff explained Consumers Energy would pay an annual fee per radio (staff cited $250 per radio as the fee basis) and would add two additional channels to meet its needs; staff said Consumers Energy and other private agencies that use the system pay personal property taxes on the equipment they install. The agreement clarifies that recipient public-safety agencies are responsible for warranty and out-of-warranty repairs on radios transferred to them and that the overall equipment distribution program is a one-time initiative funded by a voter-approved bond.

Some commissioners voiced opposition to private, for-profit access to taxpayer-funded radio infrastructure. One commissioner said for-profit entities should build their own systems; another raised concerns about whether leasing tower space could change tax status and asked staff to confirm personal property tax treatment. County staff and the countys emergency communications director said public safety traffic has priority on the system and that MPSCS can add capacity as needed.

A roll call recorded four yes votes and one no vote; the board approved the agreement and authorized staff to finalize the contracts and equipment distribution documents.