About 4½ years after borrowing $45.51 million for the biggest building project in Columbia County history, the County Board on Wednesday approved borrowing money for upgrades of the county’s public safety communications system and software for it.
The resolution to borrow no more than $3.24 million passed 22-1. At least 21 “yes” votes from the 28-member body were required for passage regardless of how many were present by board rules.
Supervisor Gary Leatherberry of the town of Dekorra cast the sole dissenting vote. Supervisors Mike Weyh, John Stevenson, Keith Miller, Jon Plumer and Christopher Polzer were absent. Sheriff Roger Brandner told the board the project would entail updating software for the county’s 10 radio towers and handheld, mobile and stationary communications equipment used not only by sheriff’s deputies, but also by the county’s highway department and police, fire and emergency medical crews throughout the county.