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County staff present $225,000 hard‑line phone proposal; commissioners request bidding and cost clarifications
Summary
IT presented a Consolidated quote for a non‑Internet‑dependent phone system estimated at $225,000 to prevent loss of phone service during Internet outages; commissioners asked staff to check procurement thresholds, alternatives and costs and to return next month with additional information.
IT staff presented a proposal from Consolidated for a replacement county phone system that would not depend on the Internet and would continue to operate during outages. The quoted hard‑line solution was described as approximately $225,000.
Jeremiah (IT) said the county's current IP/cloud phones suffer loss of service during Internet blips and that replacement parts for the aging phones are not available. He said the Consolidated solution would put independent switchgear in each building so phones would remain operable in an Internet outage. Commissioners reacted to the price and asked procurement questions about bid thresholds, whether federal funds would require bidding, whether limited local vendor availability affects procurement strategy, and whether alternatives — including consolidating with Dickinson or using apps forwarding office lines to personal phones — would be cheaper.
Staff and commissioners agreed to postpone a decision. County staff will check procurement and bidding thresholds, confirm which facilities are included, estimate timelines for purchase and installation, and return with cost comparisons and procurement options at the next meeting.
