Agenda 03/28/2017 Item #16E1003/28/2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to recognize and appropriate carry forward to fund the purchase of P25
Compliant Radios for Emergency Medical Services in the amount of $460,000.
OBJECTIVE: To purchase P25 compliant radios for EMS to replace equipment soon to become
obsolete.
CONSIDERATIONS: The County currently utilizes Countywide Enhanced Digital Access
Communications System (EDACS) for radio communications. The Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) issued a mandate in the USA where current radio systems operating on 700/800 MHz must move
to 6.25 kHz, or P25 compliant system by January 2017. The timeline for full implementation in Collier
County will be second quarter 2018. Project P25 is a digital radio standard that has been specified, in
conjunction with the public safety community, to meet the needs of public safety communications and
interoperability with federal, state and local public safety agencies in North America. The P25 system will
improve quality and clarity, provide more capacity and interoperability with other public safety agencies,
allow greater coverage for communications, and will prepare for future regulatory changes and future
growth.
The County’s existing mobile radios were purchased in 1996 and the portable radios purchased in 2000,
with necessary replacements over the years. Emergency Medical Services has continued to use the
current system and over time available accessories (chargers, batteries and spare parts) have been
diminished because the system is being phased out by the manufacturer because it is not Project 25 (P25)
compliant. This phase out of the Countywide Enhanced Digital Access Communications System
(EDACS), along with increasing difficulties to acquire parts for needed repairs, has made it difficult to
maintain an adequate supply of functioning radio equipment.
The cost to fund Project 25 (P25) is approximately $1 Million. EMS currently has $544,200 budgeted for
this upgrade. An additional $460,000 is necessary to complete the replacement and installati on of the
existing system, which would bring the entire system to P25 compliance. Upgrading the entire system at
once will assure consistency in the models deployed, which allows for consistent training and with the
added advantage that all parts will be interchangeable.
FISCAL IMPACT: A Budget Amendment is needed to transfer a portion of the positive year ending
FY 2016 Carryforward variance or $460,000 from EMS Operating Fund (490) to EMS Capital Fund
(491) project 50134 to acquire the necessary replacement of radios.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to
form and legality, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management Impact resulting from this
action.
RECOMMENDATION: To approve a Budget Amendment to recognize and appropriate $460,000
from carry forward to Project 50134.
Prepared by: Artie Bay, Supervisor, Emergency Medical Services.
03/28/2017
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.E.10
Doc ID: 2813
Item Summary: Recommendation to recognize and appropriate carry forward to fund the
purchase of P25 Compliant Radios for Emergency Medical Services in the amount of $460,000.
Meeting Date: 03/28/2017
Prepared by:
Title: Supervisor - Accounting – Administrative Services Department
Name: Artie Bay
02/28/2017 10:55 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Department Head - Administrative Svc – Administrative Services Department
Name: Len Price
02/28/2017 10:55 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Administrative Services Department Michael Cox Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 03/01/2017 6:48 PM
Emergency Medical Services Tabatha Butcher Additional Reviewer Completed 03/07/2017 10:25 AM
Administrative Services Department Len Price Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 03/13/2017 12:21 PM
Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 03/14/2017 5:03 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 03/15/2017 9:12 AM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Wells Additional Reviewer Completed 03/16/2017 4:50 PM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 03/20/2017 10:03 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 03/28/2017 9:00 AM