By Kevin Krause, Dallas News
Original publication date: Jan. 27

Dallas County commissioners said Tuesday that they want to replace the county’s antiquated radio communications system by pooling money with the city of Dallas, which has similar plans for its more than 40-year-old system.

A new digital radio system for both the city and county – to be used by emergency workers – is estimated to cost about $187 million. Because the city would be the system’s largest user, city and county officials have tentatively agreed that the city would pick up three-quarters of the cost.

That would leave the county with a roughly $57 million price tag.

“It’s a no-brainer,” Commissioner John Wiley Price said. “We need to get to the next level.”

The county’s radio system uses 1970s technology. A new digital radio system will allow the county to communicate with other local, county and state public-safety agencies – a plan state Homeland Security officials want in place by 2016.

Dallas County officials said such a system for the county only would be too costly: about $154 million.

The city of Dallas plans to pay for its share with the proceeds of its next bond election. County officials said Tuesday that they will consider paying for the system by taking on short-term debt in the form of a tax note, which is repaid using property tax revenue.

“We’ve got to do it to keep our citizens secure,” County Judge Clay Jenkins said.

More than two-thirds of the city’s radio equipment is not supported by the manufacturer. In November, the City Council approved using nearly $9 million in Homeland Security grant money for 2,000 new handheld and mobile radios.

Also Tuesday, Dallas County Budget Director Ryan Brown told commissioners that the county, which benefits from $40.5 million in state grants, stands to lose as much as $2.6 million in revenue and 50 jobs if the state Legislature enacts cuts of 25 percent. The county may also be forced to make $7.4 million in cuts to services, Brown said.

Also, commissioners said they will support the public defender’s proposed resign-to-run policy, which would force attorneys to resign before running for a judge position.

AT A GLANCE: New digital system

Total cost: $187.3 million

County’s share: $57 million

Requirements: Signal coverage on the street and in buildings; secure communication; interoperability with other agencies; dispatch facilities; and system reliability.

State’s deadline for implementation: 2016

Funding timeline: The city and county plan to borrow money in 2012.

Funding mechanism: The city will use money from a November 2012 bond election and the county will issue a tax note. 

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