COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – On a 3-2 vote, the Branch County Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation from the 911 Communications Board on Tuesday to use J and K Communications/Kenwood of Columbia City, Indiana as the vendor for a new emergency radio system.
Motorola also responded to the Request For Proposals but the cost for the Kenwood product was $8-point-2 million which was $300,000 less than the cost of the Motorola product.
The action came after a lengthy discussion during the electronic meeting as representatives from both companies made one last pitch.
The radio system would include a five tower configuration. J and K promised they would put all five towers in Branch County and also maintain them.
Commissioners Ted Gordon, Randall Hazelbaker and Leonard Kolcz voted yes while Commissioners Terri Norris and Tom Matthew felt the matter should be tabled for further study and voted no.
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.
In other business, commissioners voted to keep the Courthouse and all county offices closed until May 15, which would be in line with Governor Whitmer’s latest executive order.
