Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved (4-0) a contract with Motorola Solutions Inc.in December 2023 to replace the aging public safety emergency communications system. Valley Supervisor Mac Scothorn was absent from last Tuesday’s meeting. As a part of the contract with Motorola, Botetourt County is responsible for constructing a communications tower on county owned land at the Landfill located on Catawba Road.
County staff has negotiated an agreement with Datapath Wireless Group L.L.C (Datapath) to construct the communications tower with no capital outlay from the county. On August 21, the county Board of Supervisors approved a land lease with Datapath LLC to construct a communications tower. As a result of this land lease Datapath will pay the County rent of $1,000 monthly.
The co-location agreement, between Botetourt County and Datapath, will include vertical space on the tower (to accommodate antennas) as well as ground space for a communications shelter and generator. The cost to the county for this lease space will be $3,250.00 per month. The net cost to taxpayers will be $2,250.00 per month. The initial term is for 20 years with an option for four, five-year extensions.
Some of the benefits of this arrangement with Datapath include:
- The county leasing space on a tower that is strategically located for the maximum effect of the emergency communications system without a large capital outlay from taxpayers.
- County residents and visitors in the Catawba area, to include portions of the Appalachian Trail, will receive greater cell phone coverage as wireless carriers collocate on the tower. The expanded cell phone coverage will increase public safety by allowing callers to reach E-911 during emergencies.
The county attorney has reviewed and approved the land lease agreement with Datapath Wireless Group LLC.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
