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Cherokee Village mayor freezes $60,000 VOIP plan, installs low-cost phone replacement
Summary
Mayor Steven R. Rose told the City Council he put a proposed VOIP phone system on hold after learning it would cost the city more than $60,000 over five years and arranged a used 2021 system and CPU to be installed for under $600.
Mayor Steven R. Rose announced at the Cherokee Village City Council meeting on Aug. 15 that he would not move forward with a proposed VOIP phone system because the five-year price exceeded $60,000. Instead, Rose said he located a retired technician from the current provider who can install a newer 2021 phone system and CPU for under $600.
The mayor said the VOIP proposal "would have been more than $60K over the 5 years of the proposal that was offered" and that, given the city's budget constraints, "I did not believe the city was ready at this time considering the budget constraints we have." He added that the replacement unit the technician offered would be a lower-cost interim solution and that the city may revisit VOIP when the budget allows.
The decision came as the council reviewed the city's financials, which showed the Sales and Use tax revenue was down by less than $2,000 this month. City documents filed with the minutes reference other revenue items, including Street Department receipts, highway severance tax (none this month), a cyber response payment and an electric vehicle line item.
Council members did not record further debate in the minutes. The mayor framed the choice as a cost-avoidance move to prevent a significant five-year expenditure while the city evaluates longer-term communications needs.
