4 radio project contracts exceed $2.6M

Barry Ritter of Ritter Strategic Services and a Wayne County Council member presented Wayne County’s commissioners four contracts related to the county’s ongoing emergency communications project that totaled $2,626,006.90 during the commissioners’ Oct. 30 meeting.

The project, which is estimated to cost $3.1 million, will convert the county’s volunteer fire department communications to an 800 megahertz system and address decades-old communications dead zones in the northeast and southwest portions of the county. The county would lease tower space from TowerKing Communications, an Ohio-based company that will build two towers within the county, including one at the county highway department facility west of Centerville.

Commissioners approved the following four contracts:

• $1,610,600 with Motorola, which is providing tower equipment and the 800 megahertz system.
• $78,600 with Carroll Electric of Richmond for generators, alternative fuels and electrical work.
• $189,337.50 with Tech Electronics and Communications of Richmond for 275 pagers.
• $747,469.40 with J & K Communications of Columbia City for 138 single-band portable radios, 48 dual-band portable radios and 41 mobile radios.

The project is part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, using American Rescue Plan Act dollars for much of the cost. During the Oct. 23 council/commissioners workshop, Commissioner Jeff Plasterer presented a plan for how the county can pay for the project, which had an original $1.5 million budget.

Broadband expansion

Representatives of Mainstream Fiber Networks from Nashville, Indiana, explained their planned project to expand broadband service in Wayne County.

Commissioners supplied Mainstream a letter of support as it pursues $3 million from the state’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program for the $16 million project. Mainstream would install 267 miles of fiber to reach 2,353 unserved addresses. In doing so, the fiber would pass another 10,700 locations.

Mainstream has requested the county establish an infrastructure development zone that would provide personal property tax exemptions for the broadband infrastructure. Commissioners are considering implementation in their jurisdiction, which they expect is limited to the county’s unincorporated areas.

Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, listened to Mainstream’s presentation and said an infrastructure development zone including other utilities could be a tool the EDC uses for other projects.

Plasterer said Wayne County residents need broadband access, and without government support for broadband projects, residents will continue to lack access. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters said the county does not currently receive broadband infrastructure tax money, so it’s beneficial to forgo future tax money while residents receive fiber connections.

Animal welfare

Commissioners this year contracted with HELP the Animals to accept animals from the county’s animal control officer, costing the county $200 per dog.

Having spent about $23,000 so far, commissioners approved paying HELP $100 for spay and neuter costs for those county animals that are adopted. The county budgeted $50,000 this year and has $70,000 budgeted in 2025 for animal welfare.

Butters alerted the other commissioners that she plans to introduce an ordinance that will further define humane treatment of domestic pets. She’s concerned that the current ordinance does not require access to fresh water or ban 24-hour tethering of pets.

Insurance payment

Wayne County government pays about $332,000 monthly to Dunn & Associates, the county’s insurance administrator, and employees contribute nearly $100,000 each month.

With a balance of about $4.3 million for Dunn to pay claims, commissioners voted to take a December holiday from the payment. Commissioner Brad Dwenger said employees would appreciate extra money during the December holiday season. The county money remains in the general fund and can be appropriated for other uses.

Health department

Dr. Jennifer Bales will officially begin as Wayne County’s health officer Nov. 18.

Commissioners approved her four-year contract that pays $40,000 annually. Bales had previously been appointed health officer by the Wayne County Board of Health and the commissioners, then details of her contract and insurance were addressed.

Commissioners also approved a contract with Vergence, an Indianapolis-based company, to provide workers when requested by the health department.