MONROE - The Monroe Common Council reached for the last of its undesignated funds Monday to pay for a citywide phone communication project.
Rob Jacobson, IT director, said he was informed that TDS Telecom will be "turning off" the phones it owns on Feb. 23, leaving the city to supply its own phone system, including rewiring.
The city is authorized to use up to $100,000 of undesignated funds for the project, to supplement $120,000 in the project's capital account, and to carry over $17,000 - the balance of its 2012 IT operating budget.
The project will include installing panic buttons in the city hall, a safety system for employees.
Jacobson and City Administrator Phil Rath said the city is preparing to meet a proposed $225,000 cost for the city phones project, plus another $50,000 for the Behring Senior Center.
Jacobson detailed the expenses: $125,000 for hardware; $40,000 for services, installation and training; and $60,000 for a 5-year maintenance contract.
Rath is still working out the details to find funding to include the extra costs for the senior center system.
The city came into the new year with about $123,000 in undesignated funds. The Common Council also approved $10,000 of the funds Monday for additional funding to the chamber of commerce, to be used for new economic development printing and conference costs.
Rob Jacobson, IT director, said he was informed that TDS Telecom will be "turning off" the phones it owns on Feb. 23, leaving the city to supply its own phone system, including rewiring.
The city is authorized to use up to $100,000 of undesignated funds for the project, to supplement $120,000 in the project's capital account, and to carry over $17,000 - the balance of its 2012 IT operating budget.
The project will include installing panic buttons in the city hall, a safety system for employees.
Jacobson and City Administrator Phil Rath said the city is preparing to meet a proposed $225,000 cost for the city phones project, plus another $50,000 for the Behring Senior Center.
Jacobson detailed the expenses: $125,000 for hardware; $40,000 for services, installation and training; and $60,000 for a 5-year maintenance contract.
Rath is still working out the details to find funding to include the extra costs for the senior center system.
The city came into the new year with about $123,000 in undesignated funds. The Common Council also approved $10,000 of the funds Monday for additional funding to the chamber of commerce, to be used for new economic development printing and conference costs.