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Regional partnership looks to improve Elgin utility communications, costs
Elgin officials last week approved a regional radio network partnership for help monitoring utility systems and lowering monthly costs.
Council members voted Feb. 17 to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for radio services and equipment to support public safety, emergency response and government operations.
The Public Works department plans to use the private LTE network to send utility data and monitor water and wastewater systems through its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.
According to Public Works Director Michael Gonzalez, LCRA invited the city to join its network, currently in use by communities across the Interstate 35 corridor.
“I’ll take whatever lengths necessary to get our water operators in touch with the folks that can help them improve the quality of their job and improve the way that our SCADA system talks to each other,” Gonzales said.
City staff said the network would be more secure than current public carrier services and proved stronger reliability during emergencies.
Gonzales pointed to the 2021 winter storm, saying an LCRA crew was out maintaining a radio tower and the system’s backup batteries can last up to two weeks.
“The reliability is there — this is a smaller, more private network that would keep us more secure,” he said.
The system is mainly used for emergency services, though the city is initially planning to focus on utility operations.
Officials said it could later allow improved communication across town through push-totalk radios. Council members also discussed cost savings the new system would provide.
The city currently pays about $75 per unit per month for service, according to city documents. Early estimates under the agreement would be about $42 per unit per month, with an initial cost of about $9,000 once equipment is selected.
Gonzales said the city would not commit to purchases until testing confirms the service works as intended.
“Right now, it’s just going to be a fact-finding mission to see if it works for us,” he said.
The service will be funded through the utility fund, and the transition will occur slowly, with some sites temporarily operating dual systems.
Council members approved the resolution, with Mayor Pro Tem Sue Brashar recusing due to employment with the authority.
