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A gathering of some of the local public safety players  was held in the government center Friday afternoon, February 16, to review upcoming contract issues having to do with how Chisago County responding departments and agencies are able to communicate.  The emergency services contract for radio equipment and systemwide expenses is in the midst of a one year extended time period this year.

Invoices for 2023 radio costs went out July 1 2023.  

The bill for 2024 was up for review and debate.  County staff are aiming for at least a two-year agreement.

In Chisago County alone there are  571 radios registered on this proprietary Minnesota-wide system dubbed ARMER.  The county is the largest user on this local contract with 130 units for sheriff’s direct personnel alone.  The county has,  beyond this, 71 for enterprise services (facilities)for the  communications center (9-1-1) and other emergency services needs.

Stacy-Lent, North Branch and Wyoming agencies are next in line based on numbers of fire and/or police agency radios.

County Commissioners Ben Montzka and Rick Greene advised the meeting attendees that the fixed price or fee to either subscribe or be a “user’ on the ARMER still has to be established by Board action, which is expected at the first County Board session for March.  

The commissioners understand that townships contribute towards fire and law enforcement budgets in contracting for protections from other entities— and townships set their 2025 budgets a year ahead at annual meetings next month.

County Administrator Chase Burnham explained there needs to be a selection to be contracted as either user or subscriber and he needs to be notified.  Monetary responsibilities differ from one to the other,  depending on if the city and/or township wishes to own equipment or basically lease it.

There is also the responsibility to help pay for system wide expenses.  

The county gets charged a fee to belong to ARMER and be part of the Metro Emergency Services  Board that oversees aspects of public safety communications.  

The restructured radio communications and equipment upgrades surfaced as an issue when the I-35 bridge collapsed— and agencies and departments found they couldn’t interface and talk to one another.

Burnham explained that as a “user” local government entities will be able to better  budget and projections for radios are consistent;  but up-front costs are greater.  Subscribers don’t chip in as much for needs like a radio replacement account, but they also shoulder costs alone when sudden radio losses/repairs occur.

Yet another consideration is the near future.  Equipment obsolescence and 2027 debt balloon payments need to be part of the formula.

Jon Eckel, who oversees the ARMER locally, commented on encryption levels promised as coming soon statewide.  Government units who opt to be users need to keep in mind radios must have  codes compatible with emerging technology,  and he cautioned against government units seeking out acquisition of second hand radios or low budget products.  (Stacy-Lent fire and Lindstrom fire stated they have compatible radio inventories.  As current “subscribers”, North Branch  fire and police have what Eckel purchased.)

The county borrowed heavily using a GO Bond in 2015 to develop the ARMER network— and come 2027 the annual ‘wrap around’ debt service payments “balloon.”  They go to $1.2 million plus;  from the $400,000 to $300,000 line items for annual debt service now.

Naturally everybody would prefer to see money provided for all these costs provided by the State because ARMER was not a local decision.  Others want to see the county be totally responsible and have complained of inequity assessing a fee to local taxpayers supporting police operations while also paying for radio and associated personnel costs in their county taxes.

Burnham and Commissioners Greene and Montzka said the county has pressed for a statewide funding stream for these mandated costs and the legislature has not lent the support needed for comprehensive funding of public safety communications.

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