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Staff raises concern over TextMyGov takeover; council agrees to remove vendor page pending contract review
Summary
Staff and council members discussed an opt-in text-notification widget after the prior vendor was acquired by TextMyGov; members called the vendor's short deadline and threat of a $1,000 penalty "suspect" and agreed to remove the extra vendor page from the city website until the contract situation is clarified.
Vernon — Staff briefed the council about an opt-in emergency-texting service previously used by the city. During the briefing, a council member and a staff member raised red flags after the vendor (TextMyGov) contacted the city about adding a widget and gave what staff described as a sudden deadline accompanied by a potential $1,000 charge.
"This smells of scam," one council member said after reviewing the vendor’s demand for a 6 p.m. deadline; another noted the city’s original contract with the prior vendor runs until August and that the city has not paid TextMyGov. (Council member, SEG 1516; Staff member, SEG 1596)
Staff explained the original company supplied the city with an uploaded phone list and backend access and that residents who had previously received texts were already opted in. The new vendor’s suggested widget would require an additional web page and widget integration; council members worried that implementing the vendor’s demands without a clear contract could tacitly bind the city. "If we follow those directions, we're tacitly agreeing to the agreement," one member said. (Council member, SEG 1739)
Council directed staff to remove the extra vendor page/widget from the site and to pause further action until the existing contract and vendor situation are verified. Staff said the original contract remains in effect through August and that the city has used the service only occasionally (e.g., for a water break alert). (Staff member, SEG 1641; Council member, SEG 1724)
No procurement or payment authorization was made at the workshop; council asked staff to report back with contract paperwork and any vendor communications before the city implements new web content or additional vendor pages.
