700mhz system wastes taxpayers' money

Commissioner Joe Young pushing countywide 700mhz emergency communication system linking  proposed statewide system.

Understand that grant funds transmission equipment but county funds road, structure, tower atop Gold Mountain. Bet $500,000 here.

Emergency response agencies currently use VHF quite effectively. Would need new mobile (vehicle), portable (handheld), base (station) radios costing $20,000 to $50,000 per agency’s size. Much more for sheriff, many more radios.

Understand fire districts/departments, sheriff, Ponderay Police, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho State Police, U.S. Forest Service, Search and Rescue, ambulance districts, EMS all against 700mhz. Staying with VHF. Except Sandpoint Police. Several years ago bought 700mhz radios still in cartons gathering dust. Sandpoint Police would now need two radios to communicate with other agencies using VHF.

Further the county would need modifications to Schweitzer, Hoodoo, Priest Lake repeaters for 700mhz. Bet $250,000 per repeater.

Understand 700mhz (digital) systems far more costly continual maintenance than VHF. Could result in subscriber fees to using agencies ending up increasing property taxes.

700mhz system wastes taxpayer money! It’s unneeded, unwanted, costly, and will be unused. Should be forgotten. Is another pet project like $6 million 2009 “punk palace”/juvie jail levy with 50 percent, $3 million outlandish architectual/engineering costs which was soundly defeated. There was a “bad smell” there and there is here also.

 Sensible, cost effective approach.Update current VHF system with crossband modified repeaters able to connect to proposed state 700mhz system, if ever needed in  statewide emergency.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla