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Supervisors look to bonding options for radio system

Tama County Board of Supervisors L-R 1st District Larry Vest, rural Traer, 2nd District Kendall Jordan, Toledo, 3rd District Dan Anderson, board chair, rural Tama. -File photo

With a cost not to exceed $6.75 million for a new radio system, Tama County Supervisors began discussions on bonding options on Monday, Feb. 3, with Northland Securities representative Heidi Kuhl.

No decisions on final of the bonding have been made so far, board secretary and Tama County Auditor Laura Kopsa told The News-Herald following the meeting.

The radio system will replace one which the word is “failing at an alarming rate” according to Tama County Emergency Management and E911 Director Mindy Benson.

A decision to proceed with replacement of the system was made in March of last year with RACOM, a Marshalltown communications company.

Since then much study has gone into the tower locations and related system requirements.

Benson told The News-Herald Tuesday work on four new tower sites can be expected to begin in March if final approval of plans is received from federal and state officials and the weather cooperates.

New sites are planned south of Tama, and near Vining, Garwin and Traer. The main tower site at the county road department north of Toledo will be maintained.

She said tower construction can be expected to take about four months.

No radio equipment or pagers has yet to be ordered, also pending final state ad federal approval of the radio plan, Benson said.

The radio system serves the 12 fire departments, seven ambulance services, three first responder units, th sheriff’s office and four police departments within the county.

In other business Monday the supervisors:

tabled a decision on an ordinance covering county road dust control policy which could require permits to be issued for private applications. These may be made necessary by liability concerns according to County Engineer Lyle Brehm.

reappointed to two year terms on the Pioneer Cemetery Association Joyce Wiese, rural Toledo, president, Ardene Cross, Clutier, treasurer, and commissioners Brett Miller,, Gladbrook, Wendy Waterbeck, Toledo, Steve Kesl, rural Elberon and Cindy Richardson, rural Tama.

heard an update on employee health insurance from Skip Lowe Bernie Lowe and Associates president.

approved weekly claims totaling $124,426.

Supervisors look to bonding options for radio system

Tama County Supervisors- 1st District Larry Vest, rural Traer, 2nd District Kendall Jordan, Toledo, 3rd District Dan Anderson, board hair, rural Tama. -File photo

With a cost not to exceed $6.75 million for a new radio system, Tama County Supervisors began discussions on bonding options on Monday, Feb. 3, with Northland Securities representative Heidi Kuhl.

No decisions on final of the bonding have been made so far, board secretary and Tama County Auditor Laura Kopsa told The News-Herald following the meeting.

The radio system will replace one which the word is “failing at an alarming rate” according to Tama County Emergency Management and E911 Director Mindy Benson.

A decision to proceed with replacement of the system was made in March of last year with RACOM, a Marshalltown communications company.

Since then much study has gone into the tower locations and related system requirements.

Benson told The News-Herald Tuesday work on four new tower sites can be expected to begin in March if final approval of plans is received from federal and state officials and the weather cooperates.

New sites are planned south of Tama, and near Vining, Garwin and Traer. The main tower site at the county road department north of Toledo will be maintained.

She said tower construction can be expected to take about four months.

No radio equipment or pagers has yet to be ordered, also pending final state ad federal approval of the radio plan, Benson said.

The radio system serves the 12 fire departments, seven ambulance services, three first responder units, th sheriff’s office and four police departments within the county.

In other business Monday the supervisors:

tabled a decision on an ordinance covering county road dust control policy which could require permits to be issued for private applications. These may be made necessary by liability concerns according to County Engineer Lyle Brehm.

reappointed to two year terms on the Pioneer Cemetery Association Joyce Wiese, rural Toledo, president, Ardene Cross, Clutier, treasurer, and commissioners Brett Miller,, Gladbrook, Wendy Waterbeck, Toledo, Steve Kesl, rural Elberon and Cindy Richardson, rural Tama.

heard an update on employee health insurance from Skip Lowe Bernie Lowe and Associates president.

approved weekly claims totaling $124,426.