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Council approves municipal text‑message service after debate over cost and opt‑in limits
Summary
Council authorized a municipal text messaging contract (baseline 25,000 messages) but members cautioned about opt‑in requirements, hidden per‑message costs (about 7¢ per excess message) and limiting use to emergencies; staff said usage would be monitored and evaluated after one year.
Benton City Council approved a resolution authorizing a municipal text‑message service to provide mass notifications to residents, after a discussion about costs, use policy and opt‑in requirements.
The contract described a baseline package of 25,000 messages for about $1,800 annually (roughly $150 per month) with the option to buy additional credits at approximately…
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