Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Brown County Board unanimously approved a $80,000 ARMER radio grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Agencies receiving portable radios and chargers include Sleepy Eye and Springfield Police/Fire, Springfield EMS and Comfrey Fire.

NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved an $80,000 ARMER radio grant/countywide radio purchase agreement Tuesday from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Agencies receiving 800mHz Motorola portable and mobile truck/squad radios and chargers include Sleepy Eye and Springfield Police and Fire Departments, Springfield Emergency Medical Services and Comfrey firefighters. Approval came on a motion by Commissioner Brian Braun, seconded by Dave Borchert.

The $87,079.60 draft quote from Alpha Wireless includes a 5% match requirement. Extra item costs are the responsibility of respective cities. The estimated reprogramming cost is not expected to exceed $1,600.

Brown County Emergency Manager Shawn Stoermann applied for grant that was the sixth highest grant award of 170 applicants. The initial grant request was $95,000 plus a 5% match from each city.

“We asked for 19 radios for departments in immediate need in the initial grant request. We got 16 radios,” said Stoermann.

He said Hanska firefighters recently received ARMER radios at no cost from another department and that New Ulm Police had no additional need for radios.

Commissioner and New Ulm Police Chief Dave Borchert said New Ulm Police bought radios when the Brown County Sheriff’s Office did so two years ago.

Commissioner Brian Braun thanked Stoermann for his grant application work.

“Radio communication is something that is greatly needed. At last week’s Sleepy Eye City Council meeting, Police Chief (Matt) Andres voiced his appreciation for this grant. I’m sure Springfield, Comfrey and anyone else receiving these radios is very appreciative of your work here. Thank you very much for that,” Braun said.