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Bredthauer, Hurst, Lancaster, Quandt, Peterson, Richardson and Sorensen all voted yes and no one voted no. Motion carried. 9:05 a.m. Held a board of Equalization meeting 9:14 a.m. Adjourned the Board of Equalization meeting and returned to the regular meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION — Chair Peterson called for public participation and Doug Brown requested to address the board. Doug Brown said this is his last day at the airport, he has been there over 16 years. He said he has done some research about the digital radios versus analog radios. The analog radios are like using a 20 year old computer. He said that every 3 years the FRA requires that they have a mass casualty drill. They have 20 to 28 agencies participate and they bring in equipment for this drill. He has participated in 6 of these drills and after every one they sit down and address what they could have done better and every time it is communication. He is retired military and communication is one of the key factors in a mass casualty situation. There are currently 148 agencies in Nebraska that are using these radios. It allows agencies to talk to different agencies across the state. These radios can save lives and protect the security and safety of everyone. It will be a significant cost but it will be worth it they need to move forward with this. He would like to see Grand Island in the forefront they need to be proactive. . Lancaster thanked Doug for coming she is just leaning about this. Now over half of the counties have this. Her concern there is a significant cost need to do it now when there are ARPA funds available Doug stated what better way to spend the ARPA funds for the safety of citizens. Hall County and will have some benefit because Buffalo County is sitting theirs up now. Scott Sorensen stated this will be a significant cost and some of the rural departments are really concerned Doug said that the airport may only need ay only need 3 or 4 but they are $8,500 each. Scott noted that some of the rural departments struggle just to get air packs for the department. He noted that if the county decides to do this our rural departments will have to change. This is really no different than another unfunded mandate, Sheriff Conrad stated that he has talked to all of the rural fire chiefs and also GIPD. The rural departments cannot afford this without county assistance. It will be a huge amount. He has 35 patrol cars that they will have to take out all of the old equipment and install the new. He also noted that there are buildings and areas in the county where there is no reception. Lancaster appreciates all of his work and taking the lead on this we value our rural fire departments. 2