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County board puts latest cell phone request on hold
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
“I can’t see spending $700 a month for 10 cell phone contracts when we’re looking at having to make massive cuts in Human Services and other departments. That comes out to $8,400 a year to offer something that’s ‘nice’ for a few of our employees,” remarked Commissioner Jack Miller during the June 16 Houston County Board meeting.
That was Miller’s reaction following a request by Information Systems (IS) Director Andy Milde to purchase five more “smart phones.” The county board had approved the purchase and contracts for five cell phones with wireless Internet capabilities in May. The county was able to get the cell phones (valued at over $300 each) for $25 per phone, as long as they purchased them in a group of five. The contract per month was $70 for 1,100 minutes per phone. At the current time, department heads are using their own phones for county business and being paid a $30 per month per diem.
Milde explained that the county would not need to purchase new computer software for the new phones to work with the current server. Chargers for the new phones are also included in the $25 per phone price.
The first five smart phones went to Sheriff Doug Ely, County Financial Director Casey Bradley, Public Health Nursing Director Deb Rock, County Engineer Brian Pogodzinski and Director of Human Services Beth Wilms.
The requested second batch of smart phones were to go to Milde, Veterans Service Officer Rob Gross, Environmental Services Officer Rick Frank, Zoning Administrator Bob Scanlan and IS Technician Carol Lapham.
“With some county departments moving into the new County Community Services (CCS) building, we are spread out farther and being able to communicate is important.
Gross told the board his department was utilizing a secretarial pool at the Courthouse, which provided secretary service 40 hours per week. Since moving to CCS, he now only has a secretary 20 hours a week.
“If I’m out making a client visit, or attending a meeting, having this type of technology would be very helpful for me.
“There are times I’m out of the office for three or four days at a time,” Gross continued. “When I return, I have to play catch-up as far as reading and responding to emails. With the new smart phone, I could check and respond to emails when away from the office.”
“What are we paying right now for cell phone use?” Commissioner Tom Bjerke asked. Bradley replied the county pays $30 per month for county employees who use their own cell phones for county business. The difference would be an additional $40 per month per smart phone.
“As technology changes, we need to continue to change with it,” Bjerke said. “I can see some merit in this, as it would mean better communications. But I’m wondering where the extra money would come from.”
“We continue to worry about all the cuts we’ve been forced to make and yet we’re considering this,” Miller countered. “I just saw taxes in this county went up 13 percent. Inflation didn’t go up 13 percent. Our wages didn’t go up 13 percent. We need to take a hard look at this.”
“I feel the department heads of this county are good stewards for the taxpayers of Houston County,” Gross said. “I’ve been using my own cell phone for the past three years. I never charge the county for gas used, as long as I’m driving in the county. If my department can better serve the public and it’s only going to cost $40 per month more, I feel that’s money well spent.”
Commissioner Dave Corcoran said he felt a county policy needed to be developed as to who should receive the phones, liability issues if a phone is lost, stolen or damaged, and if the user of a phone exceeds the allotted minutes per month.
Bjerke asked Bradley if he could check with other counties to see what type of cell phone policies they have and report back to the board. No action was taken on the request.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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