MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Sioux Falls City Council has voted 6-1 to spend an additional $936,000 on upgraded police radios, taking advantage of reduced pricing on new technology. The funding was approved through a special appropriation.

Councilor Curt Soehl cast the lone vote against the measure, expressing frustration over the spending decision.
“I really have heartburn on how this is going down,” Soehl said during the meeting. “We’ve just spent months listening to the finance people telling us we don’t have enough money. Now, Motorola puts a sale on and we can come up with $936,000.”

Police Chief Jon Thum told council members the purchase is needed to address critical radio dead zones in areas including schools and hospitals. While the radios were not included in the 2026 budget or five-year capital plan, Thum said the technology shift justified using one-time funds.

“Your question is fair and valid because our budget investment was into towers,” Thum said. “Now this signals a shift away from towers into this technology, which will be able to work and be more robust. Thus the need to grab this now with one-time funds.”

Thum added that the upgrade will bring Sioux Falls police radio capabilities in line with the state’s radio system.