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County staff outline plan to replace aging courthouse phone system, recommend VoIP migration and fiber redundancy
Summary
IT and facilities staff briefed the commission on a failing 1990s telephone system, an interim repair being performed, and a phased plan to migrate to VoIP. Commissioners discussed rewiring needs, inventory of phone numbers, potential cost savings and benefits of fiber redundancy for continuity of operations.
County information-technology and facilities staff told commissioners on Oct. 28 that the courthouse complex phone system is nearing the end of its useful life and requires a multi-step migration to a voice-over-IP platform.
Aaron Cox said technicians from Hardy Telecommunications are performing interim repairs using salvaged parts to restore service while staff work through an office-by-office inventory of required phones, extensions and features (voicemail, auto-attendant, direct lines). Cox said the current system dates from the 1990s and that parts are scarce; the interim repair will stabilize operations but not replace the system.
Cox and Clark Scribe described technical constraints: some annex wiring is Category 3 cable and will need replacement or re‑pulling to support IP phones, and other buildings will require a wiring assessment. Before issuing any bid for a new phone system, staff said they must identify exact phone counts, which offices need live reception versus auto attendants, and where savings can be realized by consolidating numbers.
Commissioners also discussed a related proposal to build fiber connectivity and off‑site redundancy (servers and backup at the 9-1-1 center) to support continuity of operations in the event of a catastrophic event and to enable remote work. Staff said the county—s current monthly phone bill (covering many offices) runs near $9,000 and that a correctly implemented VoIP/fiber solution could reduce costs over time, but initial wiring and equipment work is required.
Staff requested time to complete inventories, wiring assessments and cost estimates and expected to return with a more detailed scope and pricing at a future meeting.
