County approves radio tower bids

Jan. 18—OSKALOOSA — The process for a new emergency communications system took another step forward with the approval of a bid for four towers to be erected around the county.

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors approved a bid from Sabre Towers of Sioux City, which would install four towers in Mahaska County for $708,879.

The work includes a "turnkey" solution, meaning the company will foundation and installation of the tower, including required lights, will be completed.

Sabre was the lowest of seven proposals received. The supervisors will approve a formal contract at a future meeting.

The construction timeline would have the towers ready by June 1, provided the weather corporates and environmental studies are completed.

The radio system has been a topic for several years around the county and was a hot topic in the 2018 supervisors campaign. In February 2019, supervisors voted to spend up to $5.5 million for the project through property tax bonds for the new county-wide communications system.

The current analog system presents numerous challenges, with consistent failures and dead zones throughout the county, first responder officials have said.

In 2018, the Mahaska County Emergency Management Commission put a county-wide radio system out for bid and received one: from RACOM. The supervisors stepped in and took over the project, re-bidding it. They received a bid from RACOM and Motorola but ended up choosing RACOM.

In other action:

— Supervisors approved the structure for a seven-member board to help evaluate the county's health insurance options. They will meet and make recommendations to the board.

— Supervisors approved signing a document for a new full courtroom conferencing system to be installed. The county will have no cost for the project.

Kyle Ocker is the group editor of the Oskaloosa Herald and the Ottumwa Courier. He can be reached at kocker@oskyherald.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kyle_Ocker.

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