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By Robert Sorrell

Star Correspondent

Commissioners in Carter County on Monday approved a multimillion-dollar contract for new radio communications equipment.

Two years ago, the Carter County Commission voted on a proposal from Motorola to work with the county on new towers and radios. A purchase order has been issued, and on Monday, the commission voted 22-2 to sign a contract with the communications company.

Commissioners Brad Johnson and Danny Deal were the two commissioners to vote against the contract.

Mark Ridings, the county’s communications director, informed the commission that there remains one big issue with the plan: The federal government has not yet approved the usage of White Rock for a communications tower.

Carter County has used White Rock for a tower for a couple of decades, but Ridings said the government still classifies the high-elevation site as a fire tower.

Without the use of White Rock, which had been used by individuals to spot smoke and fires in the 20th century, Johnson said the contract with Motorola is “worthless.”

Commissioner Steve Burrough asked if there is a Plan B site.

“No,” said Ridings, who added that the federal government owns a large portion of the land that could be used for a communications tower. A site would have to be at a higher elevation rather than a lower elevation site.

The White Rock site, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, is at about 4,100 feet above sea level, Ridings said. The goal of the new system is to allow first responders to communicate in remote and rugged sections of Carter County where that is not currently possible.

One commissioner, Nick Holder, suggested the county consider using land on Ripshin Mountain, which he said was at a higher elevation than White Rock.

The county plans to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was developed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby informed the commission that the funds must be spent on the radio program by Dec. 26, 2026.

First responders across Carter County, as well as some surrounding communities, including Avery County, rely on the county’s radio system. Numerous firefighters attended Monday’s meeting, including men and women from the Watauga Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to a structure fire during the meeting.

Local resident Chris Little spoke in favor of the contract with Motorola and said the county needs a “communications system that works.”

Little also said that the county needs additional tornado sirens, noting that there is currently one in Elizabethton and one in Roan Mountain.

The new system will be part of the Tennessee Advanced Communication Network, which will allow first responders to communicate with others on the TACN system, especially when crossing into other areas, such as Johnson or Sullivan counties.