Pottawatomie County commissioners received a less than favorable status update Monday to its ongoing radio systems upgrade, that could see delays well into next year.
Motorola representative Richard Nita told commissioners about supply chain delays for the shipment of generators, which had previously been noted to be around 52-weeks. He says their distributor now expects those to be available by the middle of next summer, at best.
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It was also noted that shelters for the three tower sites are on a 16-week wait, however Topeka-based TFM Comm, whom Motorola is contracted with, had not placed the order as of Monday. Nita says that should have occurred in April when Motorola presented TFM Comm with a purchase order.
The company has cited lack of resource availability, likely in staffing. Delays with the contractor could easily push the timeline for completion to November 2023, after having been delayed already once in the process from November 2022 to July 2023. Commissioner Greg Riat says that’s unacceptable.
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Nita says two suggestions have been brought up, to help speed along the system upgrade, so the project isn’t disrupted further.
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The second suggestion was to see if another shop could help while TFM Comm is busy. That option has not yet been explored.
Riat suggested Motorola bump up its anticipated completion date to July 2023, concerned that the rural areas would be jeopardized by inaction.
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Pottawatomie County is upgrading its communications towers for emergency services in Emmett, Olsburg and Wheaton.
