Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Infrastructure Fiber topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve $7,099.27 AT&T quote to run fiber to Iowa Park annex; officials urge oversight
Summary
Wichita County Commissioners approved an AT&T quote of $7,099.27 to run approximately 30 feet of single-strand fiber to the Iowa Park annex building to restore access to the state computer system. Commissioners expressed concern about the initial high estimates and said they will monitor final billing.
The Wichita County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 on Jan. 28 to approve an AT&T quote of $7,099.27 to run fiber cable to the Iowa Park annex building, a project county officials said is required to reconnect the annex's state computer system used by the county tax office.
Commissioner Beauchamp explained the work is "to reconnect the state computer system for Tommy's tag office in Iowa Park," and described the scope as roughly 30 feet of single-strand fiber with county crews providing the conduit and civil work; AT&T would perform the fiber installation and termination. The quote includes roughly $1,200 for materials and the balance as labor and installation fees, officials said.
Commissioners pressed staff and AT&T estimates at the meeting, questioning why the quote was substantially higher than local expectations. One commissioner noted an earlier estimate had been as high as $30,000; county staff and other commissioners said AT&T tends to provide worst-case pricing when a crew or sub has not yet seen the site. County staff told the court the final invoice would likely be adjusted downward and that AT&T will credit unused materials or labor for which the county is billed but that are not required.
Commissioners clarified the county will perform the civil work (trenching and conduit) so AT&T's work will largely be the splice/termination. Commissioner Beauchamp and other commissioners asked the county auditor and staff to watch the final billing closely after AT&T completes the work. The item had been pulled from the consent agenda for discussion; the court approved the quote with a motion by Commissioner Beauchamp and a second noted in the record.
Court minutes show the motion passed by unanimous voice vote and was recorded as "motion carries 5-0 begrudgingly." County staff said the service must use AT&T because of a state contract governing that connection, limiting the county's procurement options for the state system hookup. Commissioners said they will monitor the final invoice and seek credits where AT&T overestimated time or materials.
