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► Wind load is greatly reduced to allow more usage or less stress on the tower structure. ► The filtering used in the transmit combiner reduces spurious emissions thereby lessening interference. ► The receive multicoupler amplifies the receive signal at the top of the tower thereby increasing the range of the UHF mobiles on the Med 4 and 8 channels (UHF Medical radios required by the State). ► Filtering is utilized in the receive tower top amplifier reducing co -channel interference. ► Lighting protection is inherent in the combiner cavities used in both the transmit and receive systems. ► The replacement/maintenance expense of the county owned antennas utilized in the UHF medical system is eliminated. (Med 4 and Med 8 antenna systems). ► Future lessees of space on the tower can be added with no tower loading. Staffhas reviewed the cost of a transmit and receive combining system as well as the expense related to antennas, coaxial cable with connectors, mounting hardware, and installation. The combining system was determined to cost: Combiner system with peripheral equipment $30,840 Coaxial cable with connectors $11,196 Antennas $ 4,800 Mounting Hardware $ 3,000 Installation and Labor $18,240 $68,076 The above figures do not include the cost of maintenance over the period of time stipulated in the proposed agreement. Also, the figures do not include the revenue over the long term the County would receive from additional lessees who would co -locate on the tower. The number of additional leases would be predicated on the fact that coax would be required for wireless technology and UHF systems could use the combining system without loading the tower. Staff submits that on balance, given the fact that Communications International is utilizing four antennas at $3,000 each or a value of $12,000 per year pursuant to the tower leasing schedule, the $68,076 value of the combining system is reached in just over 5.6 years not including the expense related to maintenance of the system. Staff submits that the eight year period is fair and equitable given the cost of replacing the Med 4 and Med 8 antennas and coax as well as the maintenance of the combining system over the period of eight years. For example, a tower crew charges a minimum of $1,500 per day to climb the tower and there is a charge for each coax, attachment, or antenna they affix to the structure. In terms of the transmit and combining system, there is no cost to the County during this period for use of the system other than electrical power and the County's potential for additional revenue is available and the system becomes the property of the County with the company then paying rental. The useful life of the combining system is estimated to be twenty-five years. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS: Approval of this lease agreement is not precedent setting inasmuch as the Board has prior approved similar agreements that benefit the County with the School District, Fellsmere Farms, AT&T (2 agreements), PrimeCo, and PageNet communications companies. Staffreceives inquiries almost on a weekly basis from various communications companies regarding co -locating on existing towers in the County and approval of this agreement would provide the potential for additional revenue to the County. Further, this action would be in concurrence with the Board policy regarding the proliferation of communications towers in the County and would provide additional space on Hobart tower for other companies to lease space or co -locate without constructing additional towers. Staff is aware that in a few years a major expense will be incurred by the County to refurbish the 1984 vintage Hobart Tower and hopefully approval of this lease agreement will help generate revenue that will offset the firture tower expense without utilization of ad valorem tax revenue for this purpose. AUGUST 3, 1999 -51- BOOK ,r' PAGE "