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Director Wright explained that it would not be totally the <br />County's responsibility. There would be other agencies involved. <br />Right now Utilities has a microwave system to transmit data and <br />traffic engineering is going to a system which will require a large <br />number of telephone lines to be active 24 hours a day. Those could <br />be eliminated with this system. Director Wright emphasized he is <br />not trying to sell the system but to investigate our needs so that <br />we have sufficient communication channels for our purposes in the <br />future. There are only about 2300 VHF channels in the entire <br />United States and, as these allocated channels are being turned back <br />in, they are being reallocated to the private sector. The <br />situation is going to get worse, not better. <br />Commissioner Eggert asked if the study would cover all these <br />other aspects, and Director Wright responded the study would tell <br />us the benefits versus the cost. <br />County Attorney Vitunac asked what happens if we do not use <br />the channels that are allocated to us, and Director Wright advised <br />they are pooled and reallocated, and there are other communities <br />that want additional channels now. He stressed the need for this <br />preliminary study. <br />Commissioner Wheeler could not see any negatives to the 800 <br />system but disliked spending $7,000 for the study because he <br />believed the cost was more than we can afford. Our current VHF <br />system has been used for decades by cities like Miami and New York <br />even with the minor problems that exist. Commissioner Wheeler <br />thought it is more efficient and economical to live with what we <br />have rather than overdesign a system. <br />Commissioner Scurlock noticed a wide range in the amounts of <br />the bids for the study, and Director Wright explained that some of <br />the bidders misunderstood the Request for Proposals. Henkels & <br />McCoy has studied the systems in surrounding communities and are <br />familiar with the area. In addition, staff has accumulated data <br />which the consultant would use which would lower the cost. <br />Administrator Chandler further clarified that this is a <br />preliminary study of our requirements without engineering <br />specifications, which keeps the cost low. It is a study to get a <br />more accurate estimate of our needs and the cost of equipment to <br />cover those needs. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked what other agencies might be - <br />interested in participating in this system, and Director Wright <br />stated the possibilities would include everyone except state <br />agencies. He stressed we would have a 5 -year period in which to <br />implement the system and do not have to commit to the total cost at <br />35 <br />FEB 18 092 r:,� 'n <br />