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In talking with Communications International personnel and staff in a couple of other counties,
<br />it was learned that Volusia County auctioned off their old equipment themselves and got a few
<br />cents on the dollar in return. Brevard County auctioned their equipment off locally and received
<br />about two to three cents on the dollar in return. It was also learned that if Indian River County
<br />auctions off the equipment, a greater return will be realized if it is sold in lots of ten radios
<br />rather than one huge lot. Staff was also advised that the Sebastian Police Department has been
<br />advertising its old used portable radios in communications magazines and has had no response
<br />to the ad, an indication there is not a great deal of interest in the equipment at this time.
<br />It appears that the County (excluding the Sheriff's Department) has approximately 467 (mobiles,
<br />portable, base stations, encoders, etc) different pieces of communications equipment to declare
<br />surplus and sell at this time. The Fixed Assets Manager has provided a list of potential
<br />equipment to be surplused, and he has been working with staff in identifying it. However, this
<br />is not a hard and fast number inasmuch as Hobart Tower, the hot back-up for the
<br />communications system, has not been completed and additional transmitters, repeaters, antennas,
<br />etc, will need to be surplused and sold in the future. Also, some of the older 800 MHz
<br />conventional radios may be reflashed and used in lieu of purchasing new radios. The rest is
<br />valued at almost zero.
<br />At a minimum, staff would recommend that the communications equipment alluded to above be
<br />declared surplus and sold since a large amount of old communications equipment is now being
<br />stored in various departments awaiting disposition and is taking up space that is needed for other
<br />purposes.
<br />The value of the equipment mentioned above is difficult to determine. The best information
<br />available is as follows:
<br />Portables Possible value ranging from $0 to $100 each, depending on the model,
<br />condition, and market at the time sold. The TPX, MVS, MT500, and
<br />HT600 have almost no value.
<br />Mobiles Possible value ranging from $ 0 to $50 each, depending on the model,
<br />condition, and market at the time sold. Mobiles have a lower value than
<br />the portables because they require installation, antenna, and wiring
<br />harness. The TMX, RCA, MDS, older GE MDX, and Centura have
<br />almost no value.
<br />Base Stations Possible value ranging of $100 to $800 each, depending on the model,
<br />condition, and market at the time sold. The TMX and GE Corona have
<br />almost no value.
<br />Staff feels that some advertisement may be beneficial in selling the communications equipment.
<br />It is recommended that the Board authorize staff to utilize the Internet to inform the
<br />communications users and industry that this equipment is available, inasmuch as that method will
<br />advertise it all over the United States and the world in a very short time frame. If no potential
<br />purchaser is identified, staff would dispose of the equipment through auction or the most other
<br />feasible and beneficial means available.
<br />RECOIVINIVIEI\NDATION:
<br />Staff recommends the Board approve the following actions:
<br />1. Approve the donation of communications equipment as noted above to the Indian River
<br />Farms Water Control District, the Recreation Department, the Center For The Arts, and
<br />the Environmental Learning Center, with the understanding that each organization is
<br />accepting the equipment in an "as is" condition; all costs associated with deprogramming,
<br />reprogramming and maintenance would become the organization's responsibility; and that
<br />the radios are not to be returned to the County under any circumstances.
<br />2. Declare the communications equipment on the attached list from the Fixed Assets
<br />Manager as surplus, with the except of the equipment that is to be donated or retained
<br />for use in the existing communications system.
<br />Authorize staff to advertise the communications equipment on the Internet and any other
<br />prudent method that may assist the County in obtaining the greatest amount of revenue
<br />from the sale of the equipment.
<br />4. Authorize staff to sell the communications equipment at auction or other method of
<br />disposal consistent with the Indian River County Purchasing Manual.
<br />5. Authorize staff, where appropriate and as needed, to pay for certain radios to be
<br />deprogrammed at a fee of $10.00 each, such as those prior used in the public safety
<br />environment.
<br />NOVEMBER 4, 1997 91 F,,+cE 387
<br />BOOT 03
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