Back in the mid-1990's- the City of Kansas City-MO invested tens of millions in a new radio communications system for the city's agencies.
More millions were spent to get the new system working properly as many problems were encountered that apparently weren't anticipated.
It was promised that city agencies could freely converse with one another- but that never happened.
The prior VHF system had been in service for more than 30 years- and claims were made if that radio system was replaced- the new- trunked radio system would last for "many years."
"Many years" turns out to be about half the time the old radio system lasted- for city officials want to spend almost $40-million dollars on ANOTHER new radio system.
To be fair- the reason for the switch is primarily due to the Feds sale of parts of the PUBLIC frequency spectrum to private corporations (sound familiar?).
There ARE a few million dollars in Federal grants available- but the lion's share of the switch will be borne by city taxpayers.
To be entirely fair- it's my opinion that municipal governments shouldn't have to pay a dime for the switch since the FEDS sold the frequencies.
This and most every other governmental agency is strapped for money- with many more important projects awaiting approval and implementation.
The city should hold-out for much more Federal monetary assistance for any new radio system- but the ordinance was whisked through the city council committee July 9.
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