Kootenai County staff to evaluate T‑Mobile proposal after complaints about Verizon service
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Summary
Staff reported T‑Mobile offered plans that could save about $7 per line and may cover replacement phones; commissioners asked staff to prepare a full proposal, check procurement rules and coverage at county sites, and confirm device‑buyout commitments.
Sarah Masters told the board that T‑Mobile representatives approached the county about replacing Verizon as the county’s cellular provider. Masters said the county has struggled with Verizon customer service and online management, and that an initial review shows potential savings of about $7 per line — roughly $700 per month across about 100 lines — depending on plan allocation and which lines have low usage.
Masters said roughly 72 of the county’s 87 non‑sheriff lines are out of contract and that T‑Mobile indicated it would likely absorb buyout costs for fewer than 20 phones and provide replacement devices. Commissioners raised two procurement questions: whether the county must open a competitive solicitation and whether coverage at specific county sites would be adequate. They asked staff to prepare a business meeting proposal that includes a line‑by‑line inventory, a firm offer from T‑Mobile covering device costs if any, plan comparisons, and coverage verification at county facilities.
No purchase decision or carrier change was made at the meeting; staff will return with a detailed proposal and confirm procurement and coverage details.