In 2015, Mission Critical Partners (MCP), the County’s radio consultant, completed a comprehensive report identifying and validating gaps in radio coverage as one of the steps in replacing the County’s radio system. Additionally, a functional design report was completed which identified the need to augment existing tower sites with new and replacement sites to assure system redundancy and close coverage gaps to the extent feasible. To date, the County has 14 of the 16 towers needed and have begun steps to construct and make modifications required for the upgrade to existing towers.
The two outstanding tower sites: one in the unincorporated area, northwest corner of Parkland, which is going through the court process resulting from a “taking;” and the other in Tamarac, where no agreement has been reached on a site.
County representatives have had several meetings, email exchanges and written communication with the city of Tamarac. At issue appears to be tower height. In addition to the preferred location (site of the existing 180’ tower), the County has proffered three additional sites in the City, all of which were rejected. Further, at the City’s request, locations outside of the city were assessed and the efficacy of lower and higher tower heights at different locations were also vetted - all at the County’s expense. The County has dialogued with the City’s consultant who was unable to offer an alternative that did not diminish coverage or affect redundancy. County staff has agreed to attend two additional community meetings in Tamarac at the request of the City’s Vice Mayor (August 8-9).
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