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Calhoun County awards seven‑year inmate phone contract to Securus Technologies
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Summary
The Calhoun County Board unanimously approved a seven‑year agreement with Securus Technologies to provide inmate telephone services, with staff estimating $3,535,000 in revenue over the contract and a higher commission rate and signing bonus than the prior contract.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 17 to award RFP #103‑07 for inmate telephone services to Securus Technologies, Inc., authorizing the county chairwoman to enter a seven‑year contract.
Administration described the vendor’s secure‑connect architecture and related features — including voice biometrics, secure instant mail, a free KIOSK in the jail visitation area, commissary ordering and debit‑card calling — as tools to improve call management and investigative capability. Administrative Services Director Bradley Wilcox told commissioners staff expects the contract to increase revenue and reduce some surcharges for families. "The estimated revenue generated from the proposed agreement for the seven year period is $3,535,000," Wilcox said during the presentation.
Under the proposal, the county would receive a 63 percent commission rate (up from 55.5 percent under the previous contract) and a $125,000 signing bonus (previously $50,000). Wilcox also said Securus offered to provide and maintain the KIOSK for two years at no charge. County Administrator/Controller Greg Purcell said the agreement should increase collections while decreasing costs to the county.
Sheriff Allen Byam said he believes the contract is "the best in the state in terms of revenue and services." Commissioners asked about caller security and the effect on victims: Commissioner Bolger asked whether victims could block calls; Wilcox said the system identifies calls as originating from the jail and that a recipient can block future calls from that location by pressing #7, and that the Sheriff’s Department can also block numbers. Commissioner Solis noted that families often bear a large share of phone costs and asked whether the new contract would provide savings to them; Wilcox replied that surcharges and fees have been reduced under the proposal.
The motion to award the contract (Res. 69‑2007), moved by Commissioner Rae and supported by Commissioner Arnquist, passed by roll call with seven votes in favor. The Board authorized the chairwoman to execute the agreement on behalf of Calhoun County.
The Board took no further substantive action on this item beyond awarding the contract; implementation details such as exact family rates and the contract start date were not specified in the meeting record.