JPs briefed on replacing radio system

Panel hears lease-cost issue of UAMS, WelcomeHealth

FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County’s justices of the peace were told Monday work continues on replacing the 15-year-old emergency communications system.

The County Services Committee heard a report on the need for a new radio system for the emergency services agencies, Road Department, rural firefighters and others. John Luther, emergency services director, said the committee studying the communications system is still gathering information from potential providers.

“It’s really run its course,” Luther said of the system. “It’s at the end of its life. The manufacturer no longer supports it. We could have a major crisis.”

Luther had last briefed the Quorum Court on replacing the radio system in December. At that point, Luther said the county had two options, upgrading to a P25 system and linking to the statewide Arkansas Wireless Information Network system or upgrading the existing system, which wouldn’t be compatible with AWIN users, which include Fayetteville and Rogers, with Benton County, Springdale and Siloam Springs all expecting to join soon. Luther said the state is also covering the maintenance costs for tower equipment for agencies that join to AWIN network.

Luther said the county could join to AWIN system or go to another system that would have to use “bridging components” to communicate with the agencies using the AWIN system.

One proposal considered would have the new radio system put to a vote at the same time the county asks voters to approve an expansion of the Washington County Detention Center and a temporary, a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to pay

for both projects. The jail expansion has been projected to cost up to $38 million and the radio system up to $11 million. The Quorum Court hasn’t approved either project.

The committee asked Luther to report back as the radio committee continues its work.

The committee also heard a report on the WelcomeHealth program, which provides medical and dental care to those with little or no insurance. The county leases the building housing the clinic to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences system as part of a larger campus for $1 per year. UAMS now leases space to the clinic for $80,000 a year. The justices of the peace discussed, but took no action, on a resolution calling on UAMS to reduce the rent on the clinic or return the building to the county.

“It’s embarrassing what UAMS has done to a nonprofit heath clinic,” Eva Madison, justice of the peace for District 9, said during the discussion. “I wish there were a way to invalidate the lease.”

Carl Gales, chief of staff to County Judge Joseph Wood, gave the justices of the peace a report on other services.