CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Mike Miller, president and CEO of RACOM, tells the Marshall County Board of Supervisors about the two communication systems in operation in the county.

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors learned a lot about the county communication system during a special informational meeting. While no action was taken in the meeting, a lot of information was shared.

Problems with the county communication system were brought up in December when State Center Fire Chief Brad Pfantz told the board of supervisors about times when the system went dark in recent months, not making it possible for first responders to communicate. The dark moments or times when there was background noise interrupting calls create situations that puts the public and first responders at risk.

Supervisor Dave Thompson was pleased the information and dialogue was shared in a calm manner. At the end of the meeting, he suggested a small group of representatives from different organizations meet and figure out how to approach state representatives to get more funding for the project.

“I’d like to see us get together and try to get a larger cut of the pie that comes in off the surcharges so we can eliminate these problems,” Thompson said.

The possibility of spreading the cost of the $3.6 million project across three budget years was suggested.

“If we start this project and it is going to spread over three budget years, we can work that in probably without borrowing and without having a too terrible negative effect on the property taxpayer,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he was concerned about using an essential purpose bond because it would put a hardship on agriculture property owners. He said he does not want to put any more burden on the rural residents than what is absolutely necessary. Thompson proposed Marshall County can finance the towers and the townships can purchase their own equipment.

Marshall County Communications Director Rhonda Braudis said it makes sense, but some of the smaller communities might not be able to afford it. She wanted to know what should be done for those communities.

Larry Fricke with the Clemons Fire Department said based on what was presented, it would cost his department $21,000 for handheld radios and $14,000 for pagers, which would eat almost the entire $30,450 yearly budget.

“If we would have to fund that, it would take our whole budget for the whole year,” Fricke said.

Thompson suggested the county could pay for it, but the fire departments would have to pay it back.

“There’s ways we can do this,” Thompson said. “We’re just going to have to get a little creative and work together and it can be done.”

Supervisor Bill Patten said if the agencies help pay for the radios, rather than just being given the radios, then people would take care of it better.

“I’m just guessing but that’s what I’ve seen in my lifetime going through the Army and so on and so forth,” Patten said. “I think that’s human nature.”

Two systems

Mike Miller, president and CEO of RACOM, was present at the special meeting and said the county operates on two different public radio systems. One system is owned by RACOM and is used by Marshalltown Police and Fire departments as well as the Marshall County Sheriff.

The other system is owned by the county which is utilized by volunteer fire departments. Miller said the county system is outdated.

“This entire project is really about getting all first responders onto one radio system‚ a current, modern, digital radio system that isn’t end of life,” Miller said.

Thompson asked if the county went ahead and put in new equipment, how long it would be before that equipment is obsolete. Miller told Thompson that the RACOM deal comes with an extended warranty or maintenance agreement for at least 10 years.

The RACOM system is a computer system with routers and the old system was mechanical. Miller said systems today, as a result, do not last as long as mechanical systems in the past.

Braudis said people need to recognize that the county is moving in to a technological age, which requires constant change.

The proposed system would include four sites in Marshall County — Marshalltown, near Collins, LeGrand and in the northwest part of the county. There would also be a new fire paging solution with new pagers for firefighters. Miller said it would really provide a new digital paging system and a new voice radio system.

Sheriff Steve Hoffman said he was excited to hear the progress on the project, and the scope of the project will enhance the safety of law enforcement across the county.

“I am really looking forward to the advancement of this project and the positive steps taken,” Hoffman said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com