Cole County plans Webex and classroom audiovisual upgrades; county budgeted funds for project

County staff told the Cole County Commission on March 4, 2025, that the administration plans to upgrade the conference-room and classroom audiovisual systems to support remote meetings and training.

Staff presented a proposal to install a Webex unit in the conference room and to have Mid Mode Telecom route wiring; quoted costs were about $652 for Mid Mode Telecom and roughly $2,700 for the Webex device for a total of approximately $3,300 for the conference room. The classroom upgrade is more complex: staff said the existing retractable screen no longer works and the LED projector is failing, so the county is seeking bids to replace audiovisual equipment and possibly install an 85‑inch television (or two side‑by‑side screens) tied into the classroom computer. A tentative classroom cost estimate was given as about $6,000, though staff said that figure could change as bids are collected.

County staff said all purchases would be made on state contract where possible and that budgeted funds are available, so no commission action was requested at the meeting. Staff noted additional considerations such as microphones and speakers and discussed options ranging from a single 85‑inch screen to a multi‑screen display; staff also discussed existing wiring and the possibility of locating a second television where wiring already exists.

Why it matters: Upgraded audiovisual capability will enable the county to host remote meetings and trainings more reliably and support county staff training needs. Staff said the work would be paid from existing budgeted funds and that they are soliciting bids for the classroom work before proceeding.

What was not decided: The commission did not vote on a specific classroom configuration or approve a purchase; staff will return with final bids as the project design is refined.