The Worcester County Commissioners agreed to advance upgrades to the public safety radio system despite concerns.
The commissioners voted on April 2 to execute contracts with L3Harris Corporation for the replacement of certain components of the radio system, as well as changes to improve coverage in the Snow Hill and Newark areas. The vote came after discussion of potentially switching to Motorola.
“I don’t think this is the time to do this,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said, adding that he’d be interested in evaluating other providers in the future.
When staff presented proposed contracts with L3Harris in February, the commissioners delayed their decision to give staff time to collect information on the Motorola radio system, which is currently used by the state. Staff reported this week that they’d gotten a proposal from consultant Federal Engineering to evaluate the proposal from Motorola, but that process would take at least 12 weeks once the proposal was received. Staff also noted that for more than 20 years, the county and the Town of Ocean City had operated on the same system.
Mitrecic was quick to point out that switching providers would divide the county and Ocean City’s system.
Commissioner Caryn Abbott said the current radio system had countless problems.
“I think we’re throwing good money after bad,” she said. “There’s no guarantee on their work.”