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which time person or persons unknown stole a GE PLS Portable <br />Radio from the vehicle. A report was made to the Sebastian <br />Police Department however, the portable radio has not been <br />recovered as of the date of this memorandum. <br />The portable radio for some reason had not been reported to <br />the county insurance carrier and was not covered by insurance. <br />The value of the radio is $800.00 with a spare battery. <br />ANALYSIS AND ALTERNATIVES <br />The portable radios are used by the Animal Control Officers <br />for communication with the dispatcher as well as the Sheriff's <br />Office. After 5:00 p.m, when the officer is out of the vehicle <br />there is no other form of communication should the officer <br />encounter an adverse situation. There have been several inci- <br />dents where an officer may well have been injured if the radio <br />was not available to summon assistance. As recent as the end <br />of February Officer Brenda Lohse was threatened with physical <br />harm by a group of residents who were upset when she observed <br />an animal being abused and attempted to impound and treat the <br />dog. <br />An additional officer was authorized by the Board of County <br />Commissioners in the current budget year. <br />Funding of certain equipment, such as a radio and other support <br />equipment was not included in accounts when the budget was <br />finalized. Therefore, additional funding will be required <br />to replace the stolen portable radio as well as purchase another <br />radio for the additional position which has now been filled. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners auth- <br />orize the purchase of two portable radios for $1,600.00 for <br />the Animal Control Authority to utilize since the officers <br />are on call twenty-four hours a day and the equipment is <br />utilized for their personal protection. Funding is requested <br />from general revenue contingency funds. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Bird, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Wheeler, that the Board approve the <br />request to purchase two portable radios for $1,600 <br />for the Animal Control Authority; funding to come from <br />general revenue contingency funds. <br />Under discussion, Chairman Scurlock stated he would not <br />support the Motion since funding would have to come out of <br />contingencies. He announced that he would be voting against all <br />of these types of items because contingencies are running low. <br />APR 51988 <br />1 <br />THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE QUESTION. The Motion <br />carried by a vote of 4-1, Chairman Scurlock dissenting. <br />49 <br />BOOK 71 FnC 479 <br />