Commission approves one-year extension of Securus phone contract to await FCC clarity

The Merrimack County Board of Commissioners on an affirmative voice vote approved a one-year extension of the county’s contract with Securus to provide inmate phone services.

County staff said the extension will allow the county to remain compliant with recent Federal Communications Commission guidance and to monitor whether forthcoming federal action changes the economic terms of the vendor arrangement.

Travis, a county staff member, asked the board for approval and described the extension as temporary: “I’m seeking the board’s approval today to do the 1 year extension with our Securus contract.” The staff presentation said the extension preserves phone and tablet service while the county monitors changes to FCC rulings that have already reduced the vendor-collected revenue share that previously offset recording and storage costs. Staff said past collections reached about 44% under the prior model; under the compliance addendum cited in the packet that figure goes to 0% until any federal change.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about likely changes; staff responded that the only foreseeable change that would alter county revenue is a future FCC decision. No further modifications to service levels were proposed for the year-long extension. The board then moved, seconded and approved the extension by voice vote; no roll-call tally appears in the meeting record.

Staff said the county will return if federal guidance changes and a materially different contract is feasible.

The motion carried. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes for this item.

Planning and procurement staff will monitor FCC action and report back to the board if the regulatory or financial picture changes.