Use of radio tower has company suing sheriff

The radio tower on Skyline Drive in Floyds Knobs is the center of contention between the owners, Davis Electronics and the county government. Sheriff Randy Hubbard is also cited in the suit.. The case dates to the 1980s when Davis Electronics built a radio transmission tower in Floyds Knobs for two-way communications.. Around 1989 sheriff Tommy Zoeller asked Davis Electronics to investigate why the sheriff's office was having problems with its radio communications.. Mr. Davis told the sheriff that the tower the department was using was too short.. The company asked the Plan Commission for approval to construct a new tower in cooperation with the sheriff's department.. The Plan Commission said Gar Davis could build the tower if he would provide space for the sheriff's department at the cost of $1 per year for 99 years.. The agreement between Mr. Davis and the sheriff states that after one year of testing on the larger communication system the department would begin paying rent or remove the system.. The case has gone to Floyd Circuit Court. The large 800 megahertz system and the expanded system transmits to the New Albany police, fire departments, Indiana State police, Georgetown Police and others. None of the agencies are paying for the use of the tower or the electricity according to Mr. Davis.