Sheriff's office wants new phones
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

The Wharton County Sheriff's Office will look at getting authorization from County Commissioners to award a bid to replace its phone system during Monday's regular commissioners meeting.

Chief Deputy Bill Copeland said the existing system was originally purchased and used in the old jail and then reinstalled in the new law enforcement center offices when the department moved in 1996.

"I really couldn't tell you how old it is," Copeland said. "But I do know it is outdated and there are features available that we can't access because of the equipment. Things like caller identification, which could be valuable to our dispatchers."

Copeland was quick to point out the new phone system would be for the offices and not the jail itself, which is handled under a different contract.

In pricing a system, Copeland said estimates are expected to be under $25,000, so they don't require competitive bids. He said he did solicit several phone proposals that will be presented to commissioners.

"Actually, this has taken longer than expected but still less time than having to go through the bid process, which is also an added expense," he said. "And the system is going to paid for out of our forfeiture fund, so no tax dollars will be expended."

Other items on the agenda for the meeting, which will be held starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Wharton County Courthouse Annex at 309 E. Milam, include:

• Approve purchase of compatible tax collection system including hardware for purchase and installation to take place in 2009 (Tax Assessor- Collector);

• Order approving adding optical scan ballots to county's voting system (Elections Administrator);

• Request for full-time position using contingency funds (Election Administrator);

• Executive session discussion with possible action to authorize county judge to negotiate purchase of real property; and

• Ratify listing of items sold at county auction April 19.