Weather Alert Siren Costs to Fall on Alabama Counties

Officials say user fees to maintain the radio system used by public safety agencies to communicate won’t cover the cost of maintaining weather alert sirens.

The sirens sound during a tornado threat or other emergency in Calhoun and Talladega counties.

Mike Fincher, chairman of the newly created 800-MHz board, says the agencies will begin to pay in April the estimated $600,000 annual cost to maintain the 10 800-megahertz towers across the two counties.

The Anniston Star reports that a study says it would cost about $300,000 a year to fund the sirens across the two counties.

Talladega County officials say they don’t know how the county will be able to pay to keep its sirens operational.

Calhoun County officials say they’re prepared to pay the costs.