by Laura Adelmann
Thisweek Newspapers

Dakota County cities have until May 31 to hop onto the 800 megahertz (MHz) joint dispatch bandwagon.

B.J. Battig, county risk and homeland security manager, explained to county commissioners May 3 that the rush is necessary so the county can meet its spending deadline for $6 million grants it has earmarked for implementing the system.

Haunted by the unexpected cut from its share of almost $6 million in federal homeland security funds earlier this year, Battig said keeping the grant money means meeting deadlines.

Battig said project team members have been acting quickly to locate key tower sites that will allow an 800 MHz radio system to work inside buildings.

Nine core sites have already been identified: Marie Avenue water tower in West St. Paul; Sperry water tower in Eagan; Buck Hill tower in Burnsville; Fairfield water tower (near the McStop) in Lakeville; Arbor Pointe water tower in Inver Grove Heights; and the towers of Hastings, Empire Township and Randolph.

Another tower location is being considered for the southeastern portion of the county.

A Joint Dispatch Policy Committee, co-chaired by Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz and Lakeville City Manager Steve Mielke, has also been discussing how to share operating costs and decide management issues associated with a joint dispatch facility.

According to the county, cities are to make their decisions on joining the 800 MHz system and consolidated dispatch this month.

Dakota County commissioners will consider staff recommendations for a joint dispatch center in June.

Laura Adelmann is at dceditor@frontiernet.net.

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