TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution approving an Interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) for long distance telephone services.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
Interlocal Agreement with the Texas DIR for long distance telephone services
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
IT Services
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sprint has notified the City that they will no longer support long distance telephone services after June 30, 2017. The city has had the current contract with Sprint since 2005.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
The IT Services Department is seeking approval to use the Texas DIR contract with CenturyLink for long distance services. The DIR contract falls within the exemptions listed in Texas Local Government Code (TLGC) 252.022, which exempts the City from the competitive bidding process.
This DIR services contract requires the city to comply with the provisions of Texas Government Code Chapter 771, Interagency Cooperative Act and/or Chapter 791 Interlocal Cooperation Act as applicable. To comply with Chapter 791, an interlocal agreement must be approved by the governing body of each party [791.011(d)(1)].
FISCAL IMPACT
The current Sprint contract reflects a cost of 4.6 cents per minute. The new CenturyLink contract through the DIR is for 2.4 cents per minute. The city currently has an average cost of $1694 per month. With the cost savings per call and other changes in services, staff anticipates a cost of approximately $650 per month for long distance at a savings of approximately $1000 per month. Each department budget has the funds needed to pay for long distance service used within that department.
RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommends the City Council approve the interlocal agreement and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement with the Texas DIR for long distance services with CenturyLink.