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Commissioners question ItemWise $5,000 charge and consider buying building to resolve tower dispute
Summary
The commission discussed an updated agreement with ItemWise and questioned a proposed $5,000 charge for use/rental/insurance of a building housing radio equipment. Commissioners asked counsel to arrange a public meeting with ItemWise; some suggested purchasing the building as an alternative. The board did not adopt a final decision pending vendor explanation.
Commissioners spent a significant portion of the meeting discussing an ItemWise-related agreement after staff reported the vendor proposed charging the county $5,000 (described alternately as insurance or rent). The chair said the county provides services across the county and "we don't feel they should be charging the county for services." The executive director said the prior legal counsel conflicted and the county now has counsel to advance the item.
Several commissioners suggested asking ItemWise to appear at a public meeting to explain the charge. One commissioner proposed purchasing the building that houses the radio equipment rather than accept an ongoing rental charge, though the board acknowledged complications (for example, owning the building but not the tower hardware). The executive director and others agreed to have attorney Sullivan schedule a meeting with ItemWise and return with an explanation and documents, including assessing records to establish property value.
No final purchase or payment decision was made; the commission instructed counsel to invite ItemWise to the next public meeting and to provide the board with the assessed value and legal options. Public commenters also asked that any discussion about the tower or rental be held in public session with counsel present.
