Sawyer County board commits to financing $2.825 million public safety radio upgrade
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Summary
The board approved a $2.825 million project budget for a countywide public safety radio system upgrade and committed to financing the work through debt; staff outlined tower sites, microwave backhaul and estimated levy impacts.
Sawyer County supervisors voted to approve a $2,825,000 project budget and a commitment to finance a multi‑site public safety radio upgrade, with staff recommending debt issuance rather than using general fund reserves.
Staff presented a final proposal from GenComm that largely matched the county’s February estimate. The planned system would use six, potentially seven, tower sites across the county; most sites would be leased, and the plan anticipates building a single new tower in the Draper area. The southeast corner coverage gap would be addressed by using an existing tower at the Flambeau Correctional Facility site, staff said. Equipment would use microwave backhaul rather than fiber in the initial project.
Finance director Mike presented pro‑forma scenarios for debt financing. A straight repayment scenario produced an estimated levy impact of about $0.05 per $1,000 of assessed value — roughly $15 on a $300,000 property. An alternative structure with lower principal early and higher payments later would reduce near‑term levy pressure (about $13 per $300,000) but rise in the final years (approaching $28–$29 per $300,000) and would cost the county about $90,000 more in total interest under that example. Staff noted the county’s prior 10‑year debt will retire in 2033; managers suggested the straight‑repayment option to minimize interest costs.
The resolution presented would authorize a project budget of $2,825,000 and a commitment to finance the project through debt issuance (state trust fund loan, municipal bond or similar). Staff said permitting and tower construction are likely to take place next year and that some hardware purchases will occur this year. The board approved the motion by voice vote; Mark Helwig moved and Jeff Haney seconded.
No individual roll‑call tallies were provided in the record; staff said financing timing can be adjusted to market conditions and that the county is not required to spend general fund reserves. The board instructed staff to proceed toward contract execution and to return financing terms for final authorization when market and permit timing are clearer.