Radio communications among Island County Public Works staff will improve thanks to an interlocal agreement approved Tuesday.

The agreement between Island County and ICOM — the county’s 9-1-1 dispatch service — will increase the number of radio transmission “towers” from two to seven, allowing additional clarity and range, according to Matt Nienhuis, Island County Public Works ER&R manager.

The five additional “towers” will not involve new construction, Nienhuis said, only new equipment attached to existing structures.

The upgraded radio technology is similar to that used by Island Transit and emergency services, and will serve as a backup network for the Island County Sheriff’s Office, Nienhuis said.

With only two towers available and spotty cell service, Public Works has had limited communication abilities.

“It will improve the day to day communications because of the clarity,” Nienhuis said. “It’s also important in an emergency — if a tower goes down there’s more to rely upon.”