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County considers cheaper emergency radio system
By Dale Sinner
Staff Writer
The
supervisors soon may have a choice in which new emergency radio system
they purchase.
As a result, taxpayers could save $5 million or more.
For two years, county officials have planned to replace Fauquier's
aging and failure-prone emergency radio system with an 800-MHz network.
The county awaits Federal Communications Commission approval of
high-frequency radio channels for which it applied last year.
However, the supervisors March 6 voted unanimously to consider a less
expensive, 150-MHz system as well.
The board rejected such a system in 1998 because its staff found no
channels available in that frequency range.
Since then, the FCC made more 150-MHz channels available.
Costs estimates for the systems differ greatly.
"We believe a 150-megahertz system may be significantly less
expensive," County Administrator Bob Lee said.
Mr. Lee admitted he didn't know how Fauquier would finance the
estimated $8 million to $12 million price tag of a 800-MHz system.
A "lease-purchase" plan seems most likely, according to County Finance
Director John Tuohy.
Fauquier would pay for the system in installments using borrowed money.
However, "so many critical issues haven't been answered," Mr. Tuohy
said. "I can't tell you how (the borrowing) will be structured, because I
don't know how much we'll be financing. I mean, you finance your house
differently than you finance your Yugo."
The county sets aside $400,000 annually to build a new radio system.
That fund totals about $1.6 million.
Markham resident Dr. David Collins sits on a county committee charged
with drafting the bid requirements for the proposed 800-MHz system.
Cost estimates for that system shocked Dr. Collins, who hired a group
of radio consultants at his expense to investigate less expensive
alternatives.
The supervisors March 6 decision authorized Dr. Collins'
representatives to apply for 150-MHz channels on Fauquier's behalf.
"I'd like to see the county get a good emergency radio system that
isn't prohibitively expensive," said Dr. Collins, the CEO of Learning Tree
International Inc. "And, also one that didn't cause a lot of visual
environmental pollution."
The planned 800-MHz system requires three to five new towers at heights
of 250 to 350 feet.
A 150-MHz system could use existing towers and would cost nearly 75
percent less, Dr. Collins' consultants contend.
"We envision a 150-megahertz system being built at a cost between $1.8
million and $3 million -- with a lot of bells and whistles," said
consultant William Little of Georgia-based South Comm Inc.
"There are so many options available to the county," said Sandra
Salyers of Indiana-based Salyers Telecommunications Consultants Inc. "Just
because one or the other option is the 'wave of the future' may not be the
best thing for the county."
Supporters of 800-MHz systems cite "interoperability" -- allowing
mobile users of one county's system to communicate with those in another
jurisdiction -- among that system's primary advantages.
"Every other county that has gone through the (research) process has
come up with 800 megahertz," said FCC Region 20 Chairman Steve Souder.
Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Spotsylvania, Chesterfield and
Hanover counties, along with the District of Columbia, Arlington, Richmond
and several Maryland counties have 800-MHz emergency radio systems
operating or in progress.
"Every locality using 800 megahertz or planning 800 megahertz is doing
so for very practical reasons," Mr. Souder continued. "Notwithstanding
cost, what is the value of interoperability?"
Nonetheless, the Virginia State Police last year began a six-year
project to construct a statewide 150-MHz emergency radio network.
All state agencies and some local law enforcement agencies can become
part of the system.
Warrenton's police department uses a 150-MHz system.
Supporters say 150-MHz systems also include interoperability features.
"My first priority is a safe and usable system for our deputies," said
Supervisor Sharon McCamy (Lee District). "The second concern is cost. But,
that is a problem. I don't know how we'll pay for" the 800-MHz system.
The supervisors have until the FCC licenses channels to Fauquier to
consider options.
"Until we have the frequencies in hand, the jury's out," Supervisor Joe
Winkelmann (Center District) said. |