Commissioners discuss radio tower, hire new delinquent tax attorneys

Jack County Commissioners discussed the cost of a new radio tower for communications Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Emergency Management and Information Technology Director, Frank Hefner, presented the commissioners with a proposal from Strickland Tower Services, who he has been working with concerning engineering and construction of such a tower. The cost is expected to be about double what the county had budgeted at an estimated $190,000.

Hefner had proposed one site for the tower in the Perrin area, but after talking with Strickland representatives, Hefner said he is rethinking the site.

“There are some problems with soil issues at the site,” Hefner said. “We are looking at having to re-engineering costs for the one tower, which is okay because we only get one shot to do this right.”

Precinct 3 Commissioner, Henry Birdwell, said he is concerned about insurance costs for the new tower which means the county may never be able to repay the costs of the tower in a normal timeframe of 30-40 years.

“If we can’t generate enough money from the tower rentals to the cell carriers, we may not be able to pay for it,” Birdwell said.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Nov. 20, edition of the Jacksboro Herald-Gazette.