Subject: [NEXTEL-1] DeKalb reviews cellular phone use

From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 23:55:57 -0400

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/0703/30cellphones.html

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[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 7/30/03 ]

DeKalb reviews cellular phone use

By ERIC STIRGUS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• DeKalb/Rockdale community page

DeKalb County government has decided the cost of reaching out to touch someone has become too expensive.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, DeKalb County was charged $382,950.73 for cellphone use -- more than Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties combined. By comparison, nine fully equipped police vehicles would cost about $373,000.

Last year, DeKalb officials said, they were charged $714,072 for cellular service. That figure also was higher than cellular service for Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Atlanta was charged $879,036 for cellular service last year, city officials said, but after a review ordered by Mayor Shirley Franklin, the costs have dropped significantly. From January to the end of June, the city was charged $49,555 for cellular service, officials said.

DeKalb officials, realizing they need to cut their cellphone bills, said they recently asked all department directors to determine who needs a cellphone. The review has not been completed.

"We are constantly looking at ways to be more efficient for our customers," DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones said.

County officials recently met to discuss ways to cut costs.

DeKalb officials say they have 255 cellular telephones and 909 other wireless devices, such as two-way radios. DeKalb government has about 7,200 employees.

As DeKalb homeowners have seen significant increases in their property tax bills, many have complained the county government has done little to cut costs.

Viola Davis, a community watchdog of county finances, was stunned by the amount spent on cellular use.

"As a taxpayer and voter, that amount is absolutely ridiculous," the Stone Mountain resident said.

The county's development department, which inspects buildings and home construction, spent nearly $70,000 in cellular service, more than any other county department. Patrick Ejike, the associate director, explained that about 70 percent of its employees are inspectors who spend much of their day outside the office.

DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson, chair of the commission's Budget Committee, is optimistic DeKalb's review will help the county save some money.

"That's an area we can do a whole lot better with," Johnson said of the money the county has spent on cellular service. "The study on how we can improve that process will produce some savings. It's something we should have done a long time ago."

County commissioners must request cellphones, and only Lou Walker of District 7 has a county-issued phone.

County Commissioner Elaine Boyer suggested an audit of employee cellphone use.

"I think there has to be some accountability, looking at who has the phones and who needs them," she said.

County officials announced Tuesday they will ask for bids for one cellular provider, which they hope will cut down on cellphone costs. Currently, the county uses two providers, Cingular and Nextel.

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