New emergency radio system over budget
Completing Edmonton’s new emergency radio system will require an extra $3.2 million after bids on the project came in higher than expected.
Council earlier approved $9.5 million for the project, but will be asked to set aside more money Tuesday.
It’s part of a capital budget adjustment that would increase Edmonton’s four-year budget shortfall.
“It’s definitely a surprise,” said Ward 12 Coun. Moe Banga, a former police detective. “We’ve got to take a look at and see how badly we need it and what the benefits will be.”
The new $12.7-million budget should be enough to switch all police, fire and transit communication radios over to the new Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System, likely an encrypted system that will no longer allow media or members of the public to monitor what’s happening on scanners.
No one from city administration was available for an interview on Friday.
City spokeswoman Suzzette Mellado sent an email saying a reliable public safety radio network is “essential.”
Fire service officials have already started switching to the new system, which will also help them communicate with other first responders throughout Alberta. The transition will be completed this year and have a lifespan of 20 years.
Provincial officials have been working on the new system since at least 2011.
A city report earlier this week said equipment acquisition will continue through to the middle of 2019.
A series of budget shortfalls presented in the capital budget update would increase the amount the 2015-18 capital budget is in the red by $5 million to $28 million.
That’s on a four-year budget now worth $5.95 billion.
The budget was made more challenging this year because of a $61-million cut to its main provincial infrastructure grant: the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).
The NDP government cut that grant by roughly a third this spring while promising Edmonton $1.5 billion for LRT in the future.
City officials recommend borrowing $61 million from the 2019 allotment to make up the shortfall this year. A new four-year capital budget will be finalized this fall.
Officials also recommend increasing the capital budget to:
add $10 million to the budget for
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a new transit garage to accommodate electric buses;
finish design work to rebuild the
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107 Avenue and 142 Street intersection without a traffic circle to relieve expected congestion from the west LRT;
widen Ellerslie Road from 127
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Street to 135 Street to accommodate increased traffic around the Heritage Valley Park and Ride;
start work on the 50 Street rail
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underpass;
finish design work for central
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Edmonton’s north shore promenade along the North Saskatchewan River and
add $500,000 to the civic precinct
■ budget to include childfriendly elements in the Churchill Square area and develop plans for a playground.