NS - Grant - Ratification of Application for Interoperable Communications Technology Grant

Browse Search

Orange County to equal $1,011,697.50 in federal grant funds, and $337,232.50 in local matching funds, should the grant application be approved for full funding. The emergency communications infrastructure needs assessment study conducted by the County's consulting engineers characterizes the existing 9-1-1 consoles as antiquated and in failing condition. The consoles were installed in 1993 with an expected life span of 10 years. New parts are no longer manufactured for the consoles and repairs must be made using second-hand parts, if such parts can be located. The County's proposed 2005-15 Capital Investment Plan contemplates replacement of these consoles, a planned action supported by local emergency response agencies. 2 This grant offers atwo-fold opportunity - to replace antiquated equipment, and to procure the keystone equipment necessary to migrate onto the statewide partnership 800 MHz radio network. The radio consoles will allow telecommunicators to interact with field responders such as dispatching them to emergencies, and receiving information from the responders on their situations and needs in the field. It is especially important for responder safety to have reliable console equipment so assistance can be provided to the responders in an emergency. The portable radios requested in the grant will further allow the County's emergency response agencies to move toward migration onto the statewide partnership 800 MHz radio system. Because portable and mobile radios make up a substantial portion of the overall cost of moving to the system, any grant funds that can be received toward the project will reduce the financial burden upon local agencies. A grant funding decision is expected by October 2005. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is a 25% cash match required for this grant amounting to $337,232.50, if the grant is awarded in its entirety. The County does not have to have all funding available at the time of award receipt, rather the money must be available at the time reimbursement is requested, as the County will be reimbursed 75% of the amount of its submitted invoices. Staff proposes that the County's match come from fund balance and ongoing revenue received in the Emergency Telephone System Fund from the 50-cent per month telephone subscriber surcharge imposed by Orange County. The County has also previously been notified of grant funding of more than $200,000 in federal funding already earmarked towards console replacement. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Ratify the grant application; 2. Commit to providing matching funds if the grant is awarded; and 3. Authorize staff to administer and sign all grant paperwork such as may be required