One of 10 new tower sites around the county that form the backbone of the emergency communications system funded through the 2009 SPLOST. (Contributed by Scotty Hancock)
All Rome and Floyd County public safety radio traffic is currently relayed through this single transmission tower designed for the city of Rome 50 years ago. (contributed by Scotty Hancock)
But County Manager Blaine Williams said waivers are available, “and no one can say we’re not making a good-faith effort, so we’re really not concerned with that.”
County commissioners heard an update Tuesday about the construction status of the state-of-the-art digital trunking system that is funded through a $26.7 million earmark in the 2009 special purpose, local option sales tax package.
The Rome and Floyd County public works departments are scheduled to move onto the new system in September, to test it. Police, fire, jail, schools, hospitals and other participants will start switching over after that.
Scotty Hancock, director of the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, said the 10 tower sites are finally done, and equipment is being installed.
“It looks like you just dig a hole in the ground and stick a post in, but all of these have to be grounded so there’s a lot of underground work,” he said. “And if you hit rock …there’s a lot more work.”
Military communications supplier Harris Corp. won the contract with a $23.6 million bid.
Change orders approved by the board Tuesday addressed unexpected rock, Federal Communications Commission licensing and an adjustment on the number of radios needed. The net result is a county credit of $277,000.
Also on Tuesday:
Commissioners said they plan to adopt the 2012 tax rate at their July 24 meeting. No change is expected from the 2011 rate of 11.1 mills, although a 1-percent drop in the value of taxable property in the county means less money will be coming in.
The board also accepted a federal grant through the Georgia Department of Transportation to upgrade the reflectivity of road stripes, pavement markings and signs along 11 county roads.
The upgrade is a federal mandate aimed at improving nighttime driving safety, and the award requires the work to be contracted out to the private sector.
Commissioners decided to hold off on the sale of surplus weapons, likely until next year — after the Georgia General Assembly clarifies a new law that appears to require the money be sent to the state.
Previous report on the county’s public safety communications issues
Links to see property tax rates around the state
And more about the new road sign reflectivity standards
Post a Comment