Verizon pitches countywide cellular plan; commissioners ask for department survey before committing

Verizon Wireless presented a proposal to Walker County Commissioners Court on Sept. 22 to transition county employees from stipends to county‑issued cellular devices and prioritized network service options. The pitch, delivered by Jeffrey Cervantes of Verizon, said consolidating lines on a county account could yield device and service savings, add push‑to‑talk capabilities and provide prioritized network access for first‑responders and other critical staff. Verizon’s representative described potential annual savings and an incentive package that would include devices at no up‑front capital cost. He said the company could also provide a no‑cost network extender for the courthouse to improve coverage. Commissioners and department heads raised operational concerns: several elected officials objected to asking field workers to carry a second phone, welfare of personally owned devices, insurance and replacement costs, and the administrative burden of managing county phones. One commissioner said many road and bridge employees would not carry county phones in the field and that equipment might be damaged or left plugged in at the office. County staff and Verizon agreed the proposal should be explored further on an opt‑in basis. Commissioners directed county purchasing and IT staff to survey department heads about device needs and preferences, and to return with options that allow departments to opt in or out. Verizon offered to tailor device types to departmental needs (basic devices for field crews, higher‑end phones for office and emergency personnel) and to work with the county under existing DIR purchasing arrangements. No contract or procurement action was taken at the Sept. 22 meeting.