Macon Council Overturns Appropriations Committee, Accepts Harris as New Public Safety Radio Provider

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon City Council approves Harris Corporation as the city’s new public safety emergency radio provider, overturning a decision made by the Appropriations Committee on Monday.

According to Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Ellington, Councilman Larry Schlesinger motioned tonight to disagree with the committee’s decision and place the item back on the agenda.

The full council voted 11-4 to support Schlesinger’s motion.

Council then voted 13-2 to overturn the committee’s decision from Monday, which was a 2-2 split after concerns that Motorola, which has provided the city’s radio system for years, was unfairly eliminated during the selection process.

The new deal, which will upgrade the city’s aging communications system, is expected to cost around $7.7 million dollars and will be paid for with SPLOST funds. 

Ellington tells 41NBC the system will take about nine months to install.