MONROE - The preliminary estimate to replace radio equipment in the city's police dispatch center that was damaged by lightning last week is more than $71,300.
Lightning struck the radio tower behind city hall at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday and entered the complex.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said the estimate will only cover the immediate replacement needs in the police department. Computer equipment in city hall and the fire department was also damaged, but costs for replacing that equipment are yet known.
The City of Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee approved the funds Tuesday to allow Kelley to order the parts immediately. The replacement parts be delivered in about one month.
The city has also submitted a claim with its insurance carrier. Kelley expects "the bulk of the costs" to be covered by insurance, but not all. The city has a deductible of $2,5000.
The insurance company may reimburse the city for the cost of "like equipment" only, said Kelley. The city's current radio equipment is analog, which is no longer sold or supported, he added.
The replacement parts will be in compliance with the state's mandate that all emergency services radio equipment be upgraded to digital and narrow band capabilities, which will go into effect next year. Kelley said the city police department was planning for a digital update next year.
Since the lightening strike, the city dispatch has been using older radio equipment that was converted from DC to AC.
Kelley said police vehicles have been able to respond as needed, but some officers in outlying areas have difficulty receiving the signal. Also, the city cannot set off its storm sirens until the parts are replaced.
Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said his department's radio equipment, including a desktop PC and Internet switch "smoked, sparked or did nothing" when it was turned on after the lightening strike. Mobile radios were not effected.
Rausch estimated the cost of the damage to his department equipment at about $10,000, and said he hopes insurance will cover most of that cost.
Kelley and Rausch said once the replacement parts are installed, they will be able to tell if other equipment was damaged. Kelley estimated the cost of all the damage could go as high as $200,000.
Kelley said the county cannot dispatch for the city because it does not have enough staff nor all the equipment needed. The county also does not have room for the city to send one of its own dispatchers there to work.
Lightning struck the radio tower behind city hall at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday and entered the complex.
Police Chief Fred Kelley said the estimate will only cover the immediate replacement needs in the police department. Computer equipment in city hall and the fire department was also damaged, but costs for replacing that equipment are yet known.
The City of Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee approved the funds Tuesday to allow Kelley to order the parts immediately. The replacement parts be delivered in about one month.
The city has also submitted a claim with its insurance carrier. Kelley expects "the bulk of the costs" to be covered by insurance, but not all. The city has a deductible of $2,5000.
The insurance company may reimburse the city for the cost of "like equipment" only, said Kelley. The city's current radio equipment is analog, which is no longer sold or supported, he added.
The replacement parts will be in compliance with the state's mandate that all emergency services radio equipment be upgraded to digital and narrow band capabilities, which will go into effect next year. Kelley said the city police department was planning for a digital update next year.
Since the lightening strike, the city dispatch has been using older radio equipment that was converted from DC to AC.
Kelley said police vehicles have been able to respond as needed, but some officers in outlying areas have difficulty receiving the signal. Also, the city cannot set off its storm sirens until the parts are replaced.
Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said his department's radio equipment, including a desktop PC and Internet switch "smoked, sparked or did nothing" when it was turned on after the lightening strike. Mobile radios were not effected.
Rausch estimated the cost of the damage to his department equipment at about $10,000, and said he hopes insurance will cover most of that cost.
Kelley and Rausch said once the replacement parts are installed, they will be able to tell if other equipment was damaged. Kelley estimated the cost of all the damage could go as high as $200,000.
Kelley said the county cannot dispatch for the city because it does not have enough staff nor all the equipment needed. The county also does not have room for the city to send one of its own dispatchers there to work.