DeKALB – A vote to authorize the purchase of public safety radios for the DeKalb police and fire departments at a deeply discounted price was postponed Friday because of a possible Open Meetings Act violation if voting on a state holiday.
By holding a special council meeting, the DeKalb City Council tried to accommodate a Saturday deadline to buy the radios, which were part of an order of 500 manufactured by E.F. Johnson Technologies that had been canceled.
DeKalb Police Cmdr. Jason Leverton said the radios could be bought for $1,000 apiece – a significant markdown from the $4,250 estimate given to county officials for individual dual band radios.
The specific radios that had been manufactured were the latest model, and there was no hesitation about their functionality.
“Everything appears to be as advertised,” Leverton said.
The police department has $100,000 budgeted this fiscal year for the purchase of public safety radios, while the fire department has $200,000 budgeted.
The fire department’s expense, however, is contingent on whether it receives grant funding at the end of the year, finance director Molly Talkington said.
Should the City Council not approve the purchase, Assistant Fire Chief Jeff McMaster said the Assistance to Firefighters grant could fund the purchase of 56 radios.
First Ward Alderman David Jacobson said he spoke with DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks, who assured him that although the department would not be eligible for funding for individual radios if the council approved the purchase, it still could receive grant money for radio accessories such as microphones, chargers and spare batteries.
Although Leverton, McMaster, council members and members of the public all had a chance to speak about the proposal, city attorney Dean Frieders said the council could not vote on it under the Open Meetings Act, which prevents action from being taken on a state holiday, such as Good Friday.
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith said he was flustered and flabbergasted by the news that there could not be a vote.
He said that he sensed there was support within the council to approve it.
After the meeting, Leverton said the vendor might be able to work with an extension to Wednesday as long as the council approves it then.