Tama County supervisors approved the second payment totaling $995,393 for the new system being assembled for law enforcement, fire and ambulance radio communications on Monday, Feb. 10.

Laura Kopsa, county auditor and board secretary, said this amount is the same as the first payment made in April, 2019. An additional total of $200,000 was paid from local option sales tax money and county emergency management reserves.

As a result, there is a projected total bonding amount of $4,756,163 needed to complete the system.

Supervisors also approved an engagement letter with Northland Securities to act as the counties agent in bonding matters.

The present radio communications system has been described as “failing at an alarming rate” by Emergency Management Director – E911 Coordinator Mindy Benson.

The county entered into a contract with RACOM, a Marshalltown radio equipment supplier, to replace the system.

New towers and some tower locations as well as radio equipment are included.