Miami County authorizes AT&T contract to increase internet to 1 Gbps; staff to sign

The Miami County Commission on Aug. 13 authorized staff to sign a contract with AT&T to increase county internet service from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit and to obtain required static IP addressing. Lucas Mellinger, assistant county administrator, said the effort began in September–October as a multi-month negotiation to improve service.

Mellinger told the commission the county historically received 100 megabits for about $1,400 a month. He said negotiations with AT&T will increase service to 1 gigabit and include a static IP address. In the meeting transcript Mellinger said the new monthly price would be "$12.62"; staff did not provide additional documentation in the public record at the Aug. 13 meeting to verify that exact figure. Mellinger also said staff will continue to consider local providers for similar services in future procurements.

A motion to authorize the contract and allow staff to sign passed unanimously. Commissioners did not request the item be rebid, but one commissioner noted during the study session earlier that the county will keep local vendors in mind for future contracts.

The authorization covers the service-level change and the administrative authority for staff to execute the contract; the commission did not take other budgetary actions during the meeting.