Miller officials discuss ways to cut phone budget

Savings for the consolidation of phone services in the Miller County Courthouse could amount to $800 per month if county officials follow the recommendations of the budget and finance committee.
The consolidation of phone services could possibly save an estimated $700 per month for the sheriff's office, an account executive with CableOne Business said.
The budget and finance committee recently asked for a review of phone services in the courthouse and the sheriff's office to determine if the county could save money, said District 4 Justice of the Peace Carl Standridge, chairman of the budget and finance committee.
The committee listened to a proposal by CableOne Business account executive Judy Thompson during a called meeting Monday afternoon in the courthouse.
The courthouse has 87 phones, Thompson said.
The committee can only recommend cost savings to the Quorum Court because elected officials control the expenses of their individual offices, Standridge said.
The committee asked Thompson to make a presentation during the Feb. 16 Quorum Court meeting.
Committee member and District 11 Justice of the Peace William Green suggested the committee make the recommendation to the Quorum Court as a potential cost savings.
"All elected officials are supposed to save money," said District 8 Justice of the Peace Andy LaGrone.
District 1 Justice of the Peace John Wilson, who serves on the committee, agreed Thompson should make a presentation to the full Quorum Court.