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Willows Council hears SpyGlass audit pitch for no-cost technology-bill review; staff to follow up
Summary
SpyGlass Technology presented a no-cost audit service for phone, internet and data accounts at the July 22 Willows City Council meeting. Council members expressed support and asked staff to collect account details for a follow-up analysis.
SpyGlass Technology presented to the Willows City Council on July 22 a proposal to audit the city's technology-related bills — mobile, phone, internet and data — at no upfront cost to the city.
Noah Esposito, SpyGlass's presenter, said the firm can recover past overbilling and reduce ongoing monthly costs by identifying unused services, correcting billing errors and negotiating lower rates. Esposito told the council SpyGlass has served roughly 14,000'15,000 clients, completed nearly 3,000 audits in the last two years and claims to have identified more than $100 million in savings for clients nationwide. He said 99% of engagements find savings, 60% identify recoverable past charges, and the company typically reports an average 20% reduction in monthly spend where savings are implemented.
Esposito described a three-step process: upload two months of invoices, execute a letter of agency (LOA) so SpyGlass can work directly with providers, then a roughly four-week analysis followed by a findings presentation. He said SpyGlass charges no fee for the initial analysis; for recoveries the firm would split any returned funds 50/50, and for forward-looking monthly savings it applies a multiplier in year one to be budget neutral for the city, with the city keeping 100% of savings in subsequent years.
Council members asked which accounts would be analyzed; Esposito confirmed the scope was technology vendors (Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and similar providers) and not utilities such as electric or gas. Council members noted the city has multiple lines and accounts across those providers; one council member mentioned an AT&T bill of $1,175 the prior month as an example of monthly spend. Several council members expressed support for proceeding with additional information: Council member Bridal said the service sounded similar to other audit arrangements the city uses and moved to pursue more information; Council member Hans and others agreed.
Council discussion produced a consensus that staff should collect more detailed account information and follow up with SpyGlass for an analysis. Marty Brown, the city manager, and Esposito agreed staff would provide invoices and an LOA if the council wished to pursue the audit. There was no formal roll-call vote; the presentation was received and staff were directed to pursue additional information and report back.
