County considers, approves emergency communications upgrades

At the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, the body approved a Government Leasing Contract for Motorola MIP5000 Console System. The console is intended for use by the Cheyenne County Emergency Communications Center.

The Communications Center board earlier took votes on purchasing or leasing the new system. Purchasing would come to a total of $74,000, with installation included. The equipment could also be leased for up to five years and paid either monthly or in installments. In this case, installation would still run about $8,500, but would be included in a separate payment. The lease would cost $66,000.

Though the costs of leasing and purchasing are nearly identical, the Communications Center board recommended leasing the console system.

The Board of Commissioners approved the vote to lease without any opposition.

In other business, Ron Leal, Emergency Management Coordinator, appeared before the board to request Keno Funds to purchase four portable radios for the Dalton, Gurley, Potter and Lodgepole fire departments.

The radios would only go to fire departments in Cheyenne County. The fire department in Sidney already has a solid budget while the other four are tight, according to Leal.

The Board of Commissioners decided to table the issue until they could get more information on the matter.