Culbertson ends problem utility-billing contract and approves replacement

The Culbertson Town Council voted to terminate a problematic utility-billing license and approved a replacement proposal after repeated operational failures.

At a February meeting, the council recorded that a prior installer, identified as Ryan Hanlon, had not delivered an operable utility-billing installation. Randy Jakes of Diversified Computing discussed the situation with council; the minutes state the program was "not operable" and that Mr. Hanlon's performance and program were "unsatisfactory." On that basis Councilman Dave Plummer moved to terminate the Diversified Computing license agreement and to accept an off-the-shelf proposal from Utility Billing Specialist, Inc. The motion carried with Plummer, Gordon Miller and Larry Reitz voting in favor and one member absent.

Minutes direct staff to execute the replacement contract and transition billing operations to the new vendor. The record shows the council prioritized restoring a functioning billing system for utility customers and did not find the current installation salvageable without replacement.

The transition was recorded as a priority in subsequent meeting notes and procurement paperwork referenced in the minutes.