Commission to seek details on elevator emergency-monitoring contract, Starlink and Blackfoot options

County staff presented a Systems Northwest proposal to provide an emergency communication and monitoring setup for the courthouse elevator and associated fire alarm tie-ins. The vendor's package includes Starlink satellite connectivity and a monitoring call-center arrangement for automatic alarm calls.

Commissioners and staff questioned whether the county is required to accept a vendor's Starlink subscription and monthly monitoring fee or whether the elevator and alarm signals could be routed through the county's existing land-line Internet and Blackfoot service. Staff described a one-year included monitoring arrangement from the vendor and said ongoing monthly fees could apply after the first year.

Commissioners asked staff to obtain explicit pricing and to confirm whether the county's current phone/Internet provider (Blackfoot) or an alternative UL-certified monitoring center could be used instead of the vendor's call center. Staff called the vendor during the meeting and left a voicemail; commissioners directed staff to schedule a follow-up meeting with Systems Northwest and to pursue a quote and technical details from Blackfoot.

The discussion also covered the technical interface: elevator emergency phones and smoke-curtain controls must reach a monitored line that can call dispatch (911); staff said the system can be configured to call the county's dispatch number. Commissioners emphasized the need to minimize recurring costs if the county could use existing infrastructure.

No final contract was approved at the Nov. 4 meeting; commissioners left the item open for follow-up pricing and a vendor conversation.