MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — When Marshfield’s Common Council meets later Tuesday night, they could approve funding for new police radio towers to help upgrade a communications system that some say is a hazard to public safety.
Marshfield Police Chief Rick Gramza says $180,000 that was earmarked in the budget for new radios, would now be transferred to help upgrade the tower system. “The direction that the police department is looking at going is replacement of the towers or simulcast system,” Gramza explained, “and putting off the purchase of the radios.”
Besides the $180,000 transfer, an additional $10-15,000 would still be needed for the towers, and if approved would be transferred from other existing police funds. “We felt as a police department that we could absorb $7,500 out of our permanent employees straight time budget line item, and the other”$7,500 could come out of reserve contingency,” Gramza said.
Earlier this month Marshfield’s Finance, Budget, and Personnel Committee OK’d those funding transfers which now need final approval from the city’s Common Council at their meeting, scheduled for 7:00 Tuesday night at Marshfield City Hall.
