Supervisors spend considerable time on a couple of tower items

Chad Skinner with Nevco Wireless Group was present at this Monday’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors to review types of towers available and give information on the process for securing a sight for the new tower.

The company is headquartered in the Des Moines area, and does private consultant work for most of the cell phone companies in Iowa. Their goal is to provide the most low-cost network possible for first responder communication.

“We considered multiple locations in the county (for the tower), but this one made the most sense,” said Skinner. “We would like the county to enter into negotiations for the property (which is just off 230th Street).”

The company has two options available. They could put up a 195 foot tower with guidewires. The locations for the guidewire supports are fenced off for protection. There will be a 75 by 75 foot area for the tower itself, which excludes the guidewire areas surrounding it. “A self-supporting tower (no guidewires) costs 35 percent more, but you would need a 100 by 100 foot area,” said Skinner.

“My preference is to go with a guidewire structure.”

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