Bill would mandate use of MARCS radios in Medina County

MEDINA — If House Bill 801 passes, it could conceivably cost Medina County millions of dollars. HB 801 would mandate state and local entities, including Medina County, switch to the MARCS radio system. The Multi-Agency Radio Communication System is an 700/800 MHz radio and data network that utilizes state-of-the-art trunked technology to provide statewide interoperability in digital clarity to its subscribers throughout Ohio and a 10-mile radius outside of the state. Medina police Chief Ed Kinney, however, said every police department in Medina County, with the exception of Brunswick, Brunswick Hills, Wadsworth, the Medina County Drug Task Force, MetroParks and Ohio State Highway Patrol, is using the Harris radio system. That includes the Medina County Sheriff's Office, which runs the system, and Medina Schools. Brunswick, Brunswick Hills, the drug task force, MetroParks and the highway patrol all utilize the MARCS system and Wadsworth police uses a UHS 400 system. The L3Harris P25 system combines the benefits of an IP-based network with industry-recognized P25 standards. The result is a single, cost-effective, IP-based network with high reliability. Its P25 mobile and portable radios deliver clear and secure communications with proven interoperability. Kinney said all the county's fire departments -- 13 in all -- are on the MARCS system, with the exception of Medina, which uses the Harris system, and Wadsworth, which is on the UHS system. Wadsworth police and fire are in the process of switching to MARCS. He added sometimes it becomes "very complicated radio communication, and it's a challenge for everyone to communicate with each other." Kinney said his department switched to a Harris system in 2018, and couldn't be happier with it. "We did a lot of research on it," he said. "I'm happy with the Harris system for our needs. It offers good coverage, good clarity and good range." County Administrator Scott Miller said the county has invested more than $2 million in the Harris radio system, and still has $1,005,000 in outstanding debt for the system. He said the county would not be reimbursed for expenses previously incurred, would be forced to pay MARCS a $20 fee per radio per month and would lose $350,000 in state funding. He said the county is currently moving equipment from one tower to another due to safety concerns (the tower is old and there are structural issues), and is constructing another tower to provide better service in the Hinckley/Brunswick/Brunswick Hills areas at a cost of $400,000. Miller said the county was able to design a radio system that meets both the functional and budgetary needs of the county and political subdivisions, and "the state is attempting to create a 'one-size-fits-all' system while using county 911 monies to fund the project." The bill was proposed last year and is being resurrected. Rep. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, has been active in discussions about the issue. Ray has asked the Medina County commissioners to testify against HB 801 and they indicated at Tuesday's meeting they would. Commissioner Bill Hutson said he hopes that the County Commissioners Association of Ohio takes a stand on the issue. "We'd lose in many ways with this," Commissioner Colleen Swedyk said. "It's creating a monopoly for one company. I believe around the state, government entitles should be able to make a choice. What about the $2.4 million we've already used?" When the original proposals for the radio system were received, Miller said MARCS was disqualified because it did not have an option for a 400 radio system. He said this was a requirement because all the fire departments in the county had 400 systems at the time. MARCS provided a $50,000 grant to each fire department last year -- 13 in all -- to purchase radios and they are required to use them for a two-year period. Brunswick Hills Fire Chief Anthony Strazzo said he believes in the MARCS system, largely because it's a statewide radio system paid for with tax dollars. In other news Miller is arranging for a tour of the Seneca County Courthouse for commissioners and some others to view what it's doing from a technology standpoint. After the water damage in the old courthouse, an air quality study was done to make sure there were no black mold spores in the air. Miller said the air quality was fine. Chris Kalina was appointed as the Medina County Township Association representative on the Medina County Planning Commission. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2022. Seville Mayor Carol Carter was appointed to the Community Improvement Board for the purpose of distributing tax revenues from permissive sales and use taxes that were levied by voter approval for the benefit of permanent improvements for the Medina County school districts. Board member Quinten Tifft resigned Jan. 19. Carter's term expires March 7, 2022. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.