The packaged bid was suggested earlier this year by the communications system board to save money. Board members include city managers and representatives of police, fire and emergency medical services from across the county.
But some board members expressed concern that the system, favored by those who dispatch emergency responders, might not be the best for the emergency responders and the proposed vendor was a young business.
With the board’s support of a possible packaged bid, the bids already received on a new CAD were rejected by the commission in February to allow time to explore the bundling option.
The bundled bid document is being overseen by Sheriff Charles Cox, and reviewed by board members, legal advisers in the prosecutor’s office and the communications center staff.
Temple told commissioners she had not discussed her concerns with the center board. She said she was directed at the board’s last meeting to make a final review of the proposed bid document, then make a recommendation within two weeks of that meeting. The two weeks ended Aug. 5 when she talked with the commission.
Among Temple’s concerns are contradictions on some technical components and lack of background information and expectations on the records and jail management systems.
“This left both the staff and I believing that this does not serve the purposes for the communications center very well. It is very confusing. I also don’t believe it serves the purposes of the county very well,” Temple said. She said she’d prefer seeking bids only on the CAD.
Commissioners asked Temple to make a bullet points list of her concerns for added discussion, and said the center board should be made aware of the concerns.
Commissioner Ron Widener, who serves as the center board chairman, said board members appear more focused on the records system than the CAD, probably because they hear more about records issues from their employees. The center dispatchers are employed by the county.
Commission President John “Bud” O’Brien said answers to several questions are needed before there is any vote on bidding.
“We’re the ones that whether it works or not is really on our backs,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2292 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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