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Leonardtown council approves purchase and upgrade of town phone system
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Summary
Council approved VA2026‑108 to purchase and upgrade the town's phone system after staff described two options and projected short payback periods; staff cited Verizon rate increases and consultant recommendations as drivers of the request.
The Leonardtown Town Council voted to approve VA2026‑108, a budget amendment to purchase a new phone system and update phone lines after staff reported significant Verizon rate increases and consultant recommendations to consolidate excess accounts.
Treasurer Sharon Strand presented two options the town could pursue: retain the current hosted phone arrangement while consolidating unnecessary accounts, or upgrade to a hosted on‑premise phone system with new handsets and an upfront equipment and installation cost. Strand told the council the town's current monthly spend for phone services is $3,372.17 and that the upgrade option would reduce ongoing annual phone costs to about $1,598.14 in the town's figures.
Strand summarized payback estimates presented in the memo: the option that keeps the existing system with consolidated lines showed a short payback (about two months per staff estimate), while the full upgrade option showed a longer payback (approximately six months in staff projections).
Mayor (the presiding official) moved to approve VA2026‑108; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The transcript does not contain a roll-call vote or a numerical tally.
Council directed staff to proceed with the procurement steps consistent with the approved amendment and to return with contract and implementation details as required.
