SUBSTITUTE                                                                                                  ADOPTED - JANUARY 27, 2009

                                                                                                            Agenda Item No. 36

 

Introduced by the Law Enforcement and Finance Committees of the:

 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MODIFICATION IN THE RATES CHARGED FOR LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE SERVICE FOR INMATE TELEPHONES

 

RESOLUTION #09-024

 

WHEREAS, the Controller’s Office, the Purchasing Department and the Sheriff’s Office recommended that the County authorize a two-year agreement with Evercom, a subsidiary of Securus Technologies, to replace the current inmate phone vendor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners authorized through Resolution #08- 365, a two-year agreement for the period of February1, 2009 through January 31, 2011, with Evercom, a subsidiary of Securus Technologies, for new equipment, new visitation equipment, local and long distance service for all inmate telephones; and

 

WHEREAS, the County considered two proposals by Evercom, which would result in different contributions to the General Fund, and different charges borne by users of the inmate phone system; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners stated their policy in this matter, “to strike a balance between the effect on the County’s budget and the imposition of a financial burden on the struggling families of inmates”; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners directed the County Controller/Administrator to seek a modification of the agreement with Evercom, at rates between the levels contained in the two proposals; and

 

WHEREAS, the County Controller/Administrator has negotiated and is now proposing a modification of the agreement with Evercom.

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners accepts the following recommendation from the County Controller/Administrator and authorizes the following modification of the rates for the inmate phone call charges during the two-year agreement for the period of February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2011, with Evercom, a subsidiary of Securus Technologies, for new equipment, new visitation equipment, local and long distance service for all inmate telephones.  Unless otherwise agreed by Ingham County and Evercom, a subsidiary of Securus Technologies, the following rates will be charged:

 

 

For inmate phones

Local calls will be billed at a surcharge of $3.50 plus $ .20 per minute;

Intra-Lata (i.e. regional) call will be billed at a surcharge of $3.50 plus $ .25 per minute;

Intrastate calls will be billed at a surcharge of $3.50 plus $ .65 per minute;

Interstate calls will be billed at a surcharge of $3.50 plus $ .82 per minute.

Evercom will provide Ingham County with a Prepaid Call Program;

 

Evercom will install its technology platform for recording and reporting purposes;

 

Evercom will pay Ingham County 50% commission, based on an annual estimated revenue of $508,000 during the duration of the contract.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners authorizes amendments to the 2009 Budget which consist of a net reduction of $156,000 in revenues associated with Inmate Phone Revenue, with a corresponding transfer from the Contingency Fund.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board Chairperson and the County Clerk are authorized to sign any contract documents consistent with this resolution subject to review and approval by the County Attorney.

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT:  Yeas:  Schor, Holman, Celentino, Copedge

    Nays:   Thomas, Schafer       Absent:  None         Approved 1/15/09

 

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Bahar-Cook, Tennis, Davis

    Nays:  Dougan               Absent:  Nolan       Approved 1/21/09