Commissioners today heard a pitch from representatives of Commtronics of VA, based in Richmond, which has provided service to KapStone as well as several cities in Virginia.

Today's presentation by Account Manager Bo Waymack and Sales Manager Wes Caudfill came after commissioners last year heard a proposal on a $2 million Viper system, which is used by the state Highway Patrol and other state agencies.

Continued discussion of the matter comes after the October 2012 completion of narrow banding, a federal mandate that caused radio coverage to shrink on all of the county's six frequencies.

The solution offered by Commtronics is a Motorola MOTOTRBO system that offers encrypted digital communications over a secure network with microwave connectivity.

It is a system compatible with what Roanoke Rapids and Halifax Electric are using, said county Emergency Services Director Phil Ricks. “Halifax Electric is pleased with the system.”

The $779,994 price tag would buy 164 mobile radios and 289 portable radios that could eliminate current communication problems in all but the worst areas, the company representatives said.

Narrow banding has affected communications in the outlying areas of the county, particularly Hobgood and Scotland Neck and occur across all agencies.

“You're talking a lot of money,” board Chair James Pierce said. “We might have to look at it maybe in phases. We need to look at other ways of financing this. We need some options.”

County Manager Tony Brown said the matter is planned for further discussions at the board's next retreat.