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Receive a presentation on Solano County’s Radio Interoperability and Public Safety Communications System; Approve the Public Safety Communications System Licensing Revenue Agreements with the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia; Accept $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding administered through the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office Technology and Equipment Program; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the Licensing Agreements and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, and any required applications, agreements and documents related to the federal Community Project Funding
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation on Solano County’s Radio Interoperability and Public Safety Communications System;
2. Approve the Public Safety Communications System Licensing Revenue Agreements with the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia;
3. Accept $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding administered through the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office Technology and Equipment Program; and
4. Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the Licensing Agreement and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, and any required applications, agreements and documents related to the federal Community Project Funding.
SUMMARY:
In 2020, the County began transitioning from legacy VHF and conventional radio systems to a modern Project 25 (P25) digital trunked radio system, initially deploying infrastructure to serve Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City. This implementation included the establishment of the County’s Motorola ASTRO 25 Core, development of multiple radio tower sites, and integration of dispatch centers into a unified system. The P25 platform provides enhanced spectrum efficiency, improved audio quality, and standardized interoperability, enabling seamless communication across agencies regardless of equipment manufacturer.
Following the initial deployment, the County expanded system capabilities through the development of a South Simulcast cell designed to support additional jurisdictions, including Vallejo and Benicia. This phase includes new radio frequency (RF) infrastructure, reconfiguration of existing sites, and integration of dispatch centers into the County system. The rollout strategy allows agencies to operate in parallel with existing systems during transition, minimizing operational risk while improving regional coordination. As the system continues to expand, it establishes the foundation for a countywide interoperable communications network supporting daily operations and large-scale mutual aid incidents.
Today’s presentation will highlight what has been accomplished to date and the upcoming activities to fully implement P25 in Solano. In addition, this item includes approval of revenue agreements with the cities of Vallejo and Benicia to integrate into Solano’s P25 system and the acceptance of a federal earmark to fund future expansion of the P25 system.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Execution of the Public Safety Communications System Licensing Agreements with the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia will generate annual service fee revenue of $299,880 and $110,544, respectively, based on subscriber radio counts. Over the next five years, these agreements are projected to generate approximately $2,052,120 in total service fee revenue. These revenues are intended to support the operational and lifecycle costs associated with the expanded radio system, including a Motorola System Upgrade Agreement II (SUA II) and Essential Services Add-On to support the expanded infrastructure associated with the South Simulcast Cell. This agreement will be brought to the Board at a future meeting.
The County has also been awarded a federal earmark of $1,031,000 in Community Project Funding administered by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office to support radio infrastructure and interoperability improvements.
The revenue from the licensing agreements and the earmark, and the associated expenditures, are included in the department’s FY2026/27 Requested Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The County established its P25 system in 2020 serving Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City. Since 2022, Vallejo and Benicia have been operating on the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA) network. The County is now near completion of Phase One of its P25 expansion and is ready to transition Vallejo and Benicia onto the Solano County system, with a planned go-live in June 2026.
Phase One represents a key milestone toward a unified countywide system. Phase Two will expand coverage to additional jurisdictions including Dixon, Rio Vista, and fire districts, further strengthening regional interoperability.
Licensing Agreements (Vallejo and Benicia)
To support Phase One implementation of the Public Safety Communications System, the County has developed standardized Licensing Agreements with the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia. These agreements authorize each city to access and operate on the County’s P25 system under defined terms and conditions. Each agreement provides a non-exclusive, revocable license for public safety use of the system and establishes a five-year term beginning July 1, 2026 and ending July 1, 2031. The agreements outline the respective roles and responsibilities of the County and each city regarding system operations, maintenance, and user equipment, and include annual service fees calculated according to the number of subscriber radios assigned to each jurisdiction.
These agreements establish the framework for each city to operate on the County’s P25 system and formalize cost-sharing for ongoing system use. Revenue generated through these agreements will be used to support system operations, including maintenance, lifecycle replacement, software upgrades, cybersecurity updates, and service agreements necessary to sustain the expanded radio infrastructure.
Specifically, licensing revenues are intended to offset costs associated with the Motorola System Upgrade Agreement (SUA II), essential services, and ongoing maintenance of the South Simulcast cell infrastructure that enables the transition of Vallejo and Benicia onto the County system. This funding model ensures long-term sustainability of the regional system while equitably distributing costs among participating jurisdictions based on system usage.
The City of Vallejo approved their agreement on March 11, 2026 and the City of Benicia is anticipated to approve their agreement on April 7, 2026.
Federal Community Project Funding (DOJ COPS Office)
Solano County has been identified as a recipient of $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding for the project titled “Solano County Radio Infrastructure and Interoperability Improvements.” The funding will be administered through the U.S. Department of Justice Office (DOJ) of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment Program.
Acceptance of the funds will require submission of a formal application through the DOJ grants process and execution of associated grant agreements. Authorization is therefore requested for the County Administrator to execute all required grant documents on behalf of the County.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to receive the presentation, authorize execution of the licensing agreements, or accept the federal funding; however, this is not recommended as it would delay implementation of Phase One and limit interoperability improvements for participating jurisdictions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
DoIT coordinated with the County Administrator’s Office, County Counsel, Risk Management, Public Safety Communications stakeholders, the Cities of Vallejo and Benicia, and federal grant administrators associated with the COPS Office funding.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION