East Idaho Times

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has announced the inclusion of $869,000 in funding for the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Radio Improvement Project in Bonneville County, Idaho. This funding was secured through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

“First responders across southeastern Idaho work tirelessly to serve and protect our communities,” said Rep. Simpson. “However, their efforts are at risk by outdated radio repeaters, which pose a significant danger to lives, property, and response times during emergencies. This funding, which would upgrade the base station repeaters used by five counties, is essential to enhancing communication efficiency and safety. I am proud to support this project and ensure Idaho’s first responders have access to reliable and modern communication tools when responding to crises.”

Bonneville County Sheriff Samuel Hulse expressed his gratitude: “I was excited to learn that Representative Simpson was working to include our critical request to upgrade the Upper Snake River 700MHz Radio System in his Community Project Funding request. The repeaters in Bonneville County are at end of life and must be replaced. This system provides critical communications to first responders within five counties of eastern Idaho and specifically within Bonneville County. I appreciate Representative Simpson’s leadership in helping Idaho Communities complete critical projects that we would not be able to complete without his representation and assistance at the federal level. Thank you, Representative Simpson, for your support of Bonneville County and Idaho.”

The Upper Snake 700MHz Radio System is a land mobile radio system based in Bonneville County that provides crucial radio communication to first responders across five counties in southeastern Idaho. The original repeaters are 16 years old, no longer produced, and are at the end of their useful life, requiring new equipment upgrades. This funding will allow Bonneville County to upgrade the 20 base station repeaters.

Despite claims that CPF projects are "wasteful earmarks," Community Project Funding enables Members of Congress like Congressman Simpson to allocate Idaho tax dollars for local priorities. These projects address clear needs within communities across Idaho and enjoy broad community support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to advocate for Idaho’s priorities and ensure that tax dollars return to benefit local communities.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Radio Improvement Project is part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This measure has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee.