COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners voted on Thursday to bring forward an $8.2 million bid from J and K Communications of Columbia City, Indiana to be the vendor for a new emergency radio system.
The action came after the Branch County 911 Communications Board recommended J and K’s bid over one submitted by Motorola during their meeting on Wednesday.
Big selling points for J and K were their lower bid price and a promise they would put all five towers in Branch County.
Ali Shahnami from the consulting firm of ADC Telecom pointed out J and K had three to five year warranties on their products.
Formal action, which is dependent on funding, is expected to be taken by Commissioners on Tuesday.
Efforts have been made over the last couple of years by Branch County emergency officials to replace what is felt to be an antiquated early 1990’s VHF radio system along with its equipment with a 700 or 800 megahertz system.
