Ohio County’s $3.6 Million Radio System Moves Ahead

By SHELLEY HANSON
WHEELING — New radio towers are expected to be installed at The Highlands and in West Liberty next month as part of Ohio County’s $3.6 million project to improve its first responders’ ability to communicate.

The Ohio County Commission on Thursday approved paying $121,120 to JG Contracting of Pittsburgh to install one tower at The Highlands and another in West Liberty. The towers will be used to transmit radio waves for the county’s new 450-megahertz radio system.

It includes new compatible radios at a cost of $1 million and will be used by emergency management officials, volunteer firefighters and Ohio County sheriff’s deputies. The new system, which cost $2.6 million itself, will be housed at the 911 center at the City-County Building in Wheeling.

City of Wheeling police and firefighters currently use an 800-MHz radio system. Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart noted the 450-MHz system already is being used by several other counties across the state. He hopes other Northern Panhandle counties also will upgrade to the digital system.

“I would like it if down the road — if they need to upgrade their system — they revisit joining the statewide program,” Stewart said of the city of Wheeling.

In 2006, Wheeling police Chief Kevin Gessler expressed concern about the county purchasing the 450-MHz system. During a public hearing, he noted the city’s 800-MHz radio system would provide more than a enough bandwidth to support all county agencies. He urged residents to oppose an 85-cent 911 fee hike proposed by the county to raise $244,000 annually to help finance the new system. The hike eventually was approved by county commissioners.

In other matters, the commission approved increasing the pay for poll workers from $110 to $120 on Election Day. With extra pay for various additional duties, a poll worker could potentially earn up to $175. Stewart hopes the increase will entice new workers to come out, such as college students.