EPICS Coordinator John Grolich discussess AT&T proposal and installation of 2 additional towers

Earlier this month, John Grolich, Marshall County EPICS (Emergency Partners Information Connection System) Coordinator, appeared before the County Commissioners with a proposal from AT&T Mobile Communications to pay a “cash out” payment for the rent on the Sheriff’s Department tower.   

Grolich said AT&T has been making monthly rental payments of $1,800 for its space on the tower. They propose to pay the county a lump sum of $257,600 for a 30-year lease for tower space and a 99-year easement to access the tower. They also suggest lowering their monthly payment to $1,500. 

Grolich said towers have been strategically placed around the county to provide emergency responders with high-speed wireless internet free of charge. He said this is a public-private partnership with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department on the public side and 4-Way Communications on the private, paying $1,200 monthly for space on the EPICS towers around the county.

The EPICS program has two additional towers to erect: a 195-foot and a 235-foot tower. Grolich proposed using AT&T's one-time payment to place the 195-foot tower in Tippecanoe because the site has been surveyed and recorded, and it will improve communication in that part of the county.

Grolich said the EPICS Fund currently has $165,000 in it, and with the additional funds from AT&T, they would have enough funds to put up the last two towers. 

Grolich said he doesn’t expect the towers to enhance the 800 MHz communications because they aren’t tall enough. Still, they will provide added VHF communications for Tippecanoe Fire and emergency services. 

Commissioner Stan Klotz told Grolich, “We are taking quite a discount long term.”  While he supports improving communications, he questioned the discount and wondered if the county could find another way to get the towers up and still get the monthly AT&T payment of $1,800.   

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon asked to have the proposal and details provided on paper so he could see the figures and the impact on the county.  He also wanted Mr. Dalton to examine the proposal and the revenue differences. 

Newly elected commissioner Adam Faulstich asked how tall the towers should be to solve the issues with 800 MHz emergency communications, and Grolich said 400 feet.

All three commissioners supported improving the county’s emergency communications but felt there might be a better option than putting up two shorter towers. If funding could be found, it was suggested that one taller tower might be smarter. 

County Attorney Sean Surrisi has a copy of the AT&T proposal and will review the existing lease to see what allowable amendments can be added. He will work on the numbers for the commissioners and present that information at the January 20^th meeting.

Grolich was hopeful of the commissioners' commitment at the next meeting.