Washington County is in need of new emergency communications equipment and this week staff will consider proposals for it.

A joint work session has been set with the Washington County Board of Supervisors, E911 Services and the Communications Board for 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Those board members will review the two bids received, which were from Motorola and RACOM. The Supervisors have approved bonding up to $10.4 million for the equipment, but the hope was for bids to come in lower. The goal is for emergency crews to get up to 95% radio coverage in the county, and currently they are at 35% coverage for portable radios in buildings across the county. The meeting will be at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.