Emergency services urges replacement of aging radios; committee weighs buy vs. seven-year lease

Emergency-services staff presented a budget request to replace the county radio cache and update 15 handheld units during the budget hearing.

Staff said Motorola is offering an approximately 40% discount tied to a radio-tower project, but that discount is time-limited (about 18 months). The vendor’s outright quote for the selected APX50 model was about $61,920.50; staff added that maintenance and subscription fees would be billed annually. Motorola also provided a seven-year lease option that would spread payments at roughly $11,000 per year, which committee members said the sheriff’s office had chosen for its fleet.

Committee members discussed whether to buy now and own the hardware (and pay annual maintenance) or to lease and spread the cost. One member said the county might be "all right" following other agencies’ lead; others favored the lease to avoid a large one-time capital outlay.

Why it matters: Radios are mission-critical public-safety infrastructure; staff said existing units are at the end of life and will need replacement within the next 12–14 months. Motorola compatibility would maintain statewide interoperability with sheriff and fire channels.

Next steps: Committee asked staff to provide a written purchase vs. lease cost comparison including lifetime maintenance and recommended returning with a formal procurement recommendation and lease documents if the county favors that path.