Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Treasurer warns of rising MICR and printer costs; court discusses countywide printer policy
Summary
Tom Green County treasurer said MICR/check printing and folder costs are increasing and explained technical reasons certain offices need dedicated MICR printers; commissioners and staff discussed standardizing printers to reduce toner expenses while acknowledging CJIS and system constraints.
The treasurer told the court that costs for MICR cartridges and other check-printing supplies have risen, and she warned the county should be prepared for higher operational costs in her office. She said MICR cartridges (used to print checks) are among the county's most expensive consumables and that some departments require dedicated printers to avoid disrupting revenue, AP and payroll operations.
"The Mickor cartridges are the most expensive cartridges we use. That's what prints our checks," the treasurer said, explaining why that equipment must remain available and maintained. Commissioners and staff discussed the potential savings of standardizing desktop printers vs. networked copier contracts and raised technical constraints, including CJIS requirements and integrated systems (Tyler) that can force certain printer types for specific county systems.
Staff and commissioners asked for an inventory of printers and a report on desktop vs. network printer usage; several attendees suggested a printer policy should be developed by the court rather than imposed ad hoc by IT procurement decisions.
