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system with radios attached at various places. As a result, it is clear that the technology already <br /> does provide much enhanced functionality that is of great value to public safety radio users. Of <br /> more importance, however, the computer technology represented by a wide -area IP addressable <br /> network will clearly provide many advanced features and much new functionality that will be <br /> developed at a very rapid rate and will be commonly available from multiple radio providers so <br /> that competitive bids for equipment that will provide many of those advanced features will be <br /> possible. For this reason, even though implementing a stand - alone, analog 800 MHz trunked <br /> radio system is an option as a lower cost compared to the Mn/DOT 800 MHz, digital modulation <br /> radio system, use of the Mn/DOT radio system is recommended if the total replacement direction <br /> is selected. This new radio system communicates in a digital format end -to -end. The new <br /> Mn/DOT system architecture is fully consistent with the current trends in computer and <br /> communications technology. There is every indication that this architecture will be the basic <br /> architecture in use through much of the 21 century. <br /> 4.3.3 Alternative System Direction Cost Issues <br /> In Section 3.4.2, the cost estimate for the recommended enhanced VHF radio system alternative <br /> is shown as $4.75 million. That cost includes simulcasting, which is recommended, if that <br /> direction is chosen for implementation in Anoka County. <br /> If a total replacement alternative is chosen by Anoka County, it is recommended that the <br /> alternative be the Mn/DOT 800 MHz, digital modulation radio system at a total cost of <br /> $10.64 million, <br /> Therefore, in this report it is concluded that the minimum expenditure necessary to bring public <br /> safety land mobile radio systems to at least an acceptable level in Anoka County will cost <br /> $4.7 million. The incremental difference in cost to go from enhancing an existing system to <br /> bring it to an acceptable level for some period of years, probably less than ten years, and the cost <br /> of a system that will fully meet the land mobile requirements of public safety entities in Anoka <br /> County is a little more than $6 million. <br /> The recommendation in this report is that the citizens of Anoka County choose the system that <br /> will fully meet the requirements and needs of public safety entities in Anoka County and that is <br /> use of the Mn/DOT 800 MHz, digital modulation land mobile radio system. Not only will that <br /> system meet all of the needs, but the system is likely to last well into the 21 century. In <br /> considering the estimated cost of that system, $10.64 million, it must be remembered that most <br /> or all of the funding to pay for that system will have to come from the citizens of Anoka County. <br /> Some of the funding might be made available by the Minnesota Legislature, but at least most of <br /> the $10.64 million will have to come from citizens of the County. Expenditure of that amount <br /> will provide a radio system that will provide the highest level of safety possible for firefighter <br /> and law enforcement personnel functioning out in the field in life and death situations. Any <br /> lesser system will provide a lesser level of safety as there is always some less possibility of being <br /> able to communicate when it is absolutely essential to do so unless the very best system is <br /> Ronald Vegemast Engineering, lnc. -37- Report: Anoka County <br />