Florida Today Letter to the Editor
November 18th, 2009

Dear Editor,

Overwhelming evidence indicates a dramatic reduction in revenue for Brevard County in the coming years, yet three of five county commissioners continue to act as though we are living in the high-flying days of the real estate bubble.

Commissioners Bolin, Fisher and Nelson voted Tuesday to extend a contract with AT&T that expires in August of 2010 for an additional three years at a cost of $3.2 million per year without going to bid, and in spite of competing vendors showing they could save the county between 40 and 70 percent on some of the services AT&T was providing.

This unnecessary and lengthy contract extension means the county is now "frozen" as is in regards to its voice and data network with no possibility of change for the next four years - a lifetime in the realm of technology.

The county's phone system is obsolete, its manufacturer bankrupt, and third party industry data indicates the county could have saved between $1 and $2 million per year by implementing newer technology - savings that would have paid for the new system in less than two years.

Commissioners Bolin and Nelson - alleged fiscal conservatives squandering your tax dollars with a smile.

- Matt Nye