Update, Sept. 1
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved an expanded contract to replace two analog radio channels used by the county’s public works department and sheriff’s office.
Commissioners added $122,000 to an existing contract with Radio Technology Services, bringing the total to about $457,500. The project is being funded by federal Covid relief dollars.
The contractor will manage planning and obtaining the new systems, according to the meeting agenda.
“A large radio system like this, the full procurement process might take nine or 10 months,” Public Works Director Brian Nicholas told commissioners at the meeting. “You’ll see from the dollar amount, it’s not an insignificant level of effort.”
The board also unanimously approved several vehicle purchases totaling about $468,000 for the Marion County Public Works Department.
Nicholas said at the meeting that his department has been requesting more vehicle and equipment purchases than normal in recent weeks because such deliveries are unpredictable, and they wanted to make the purchases early in the county’s fiscal year that began July 1.
The new vehicle purchase contracts are:
- $145,979 with Gresham Ford to buy three light duty fleet vehicles, replacing existing county vehicles scheduled for replacement
- $111,454 with Northside Ford to buy a flatbed truck for road operations, replacing a 22-year-old vehicle; and to buy a 4×4 replacement truck for the emergency management program
- $210,863 with Deere & Company to buy a 2024 John Deere 6110 Tractor with a boom mower for use on road shoulders mowing and cutting brush
The board unanimously approved or advanced other agenda items, including revisions to the county’s protected leave policy, unarmed security and vehicle patrols at Health and Human Services Department facilities, and funding for a program intended to provide better community-based care to adults with mental illnesses.
Original story below:
The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider several vehicle purchases and an expanded contract to replace county radio systems.
READ IT: AGENDA
To participate
The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court Street N.E. Anyone can attend or sign up to give public comment in-person at the meeting. The meeting is streamed live on YouTube.
Radio replacement
Commissioners will consider an amendment to an existing contract with Radio Technology Services to provide project management for planning and procurement as the county seeks to replace two analog radio channels used by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and public works department.
The new contract would total $457,555, an increase of $122,055, and expire June 25, 2025. The project is being funded with federal Covid relief.
Vehicle purchases
Commissioners will vote on three vehicle purchase contracts for the public works department. They are:
- $145,979 with Gresham Ford to buy three light duty fleet vehicles, replacing existing county vehicles scheduled for replacement
- $111,454 with Northside Ford to buy a flatbed truck for road operations, replacing a 22-year-old vehicle; and to buy a 4×4 replacement truck for the emergency management program
- $210,863 with Deere & Company to buy a 2024 John Deere 6110 Tractor with a boom mower for use on road shoulders mowing and cutting brush
Other items
Commissioners will consider revisions to the county’s protected leave policy, reflecting the start of the state’s Paid Leave Oregon program.
They will consider adding $6.1 million to a contract with the Oregon Health Authority for the Health and Human Services Department to provide community mental health, addiction treatment, recovery and prevention, and problem gambling services. The new contract would be in effect through Dec. 31, 2023, for up to $27.4 million.
They will consider adding $200,000 to a contract with Advanced Security, Inc. to provide unarmed security and vehicle patrols and Health and Human Services Department facilities. The amendment extends the contract to Nov. 30, 2024, at a total cost of about $2 million.
They will consider reinstating a contract with the Oregon Health Authority and adding $402,000 to fund the Choice Model program, which is intended to provide better community-based care to adults with mental illnesses. The new contract would total $1.2 million and expire Dec. 31, 2023.
Commissioners will consider appointing Salem police Deputy Chief Treven Upkes to the county’s justice reinvestment council with a term ending Dec. 31, 2024.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
