Should a five-year lease and service contract for Tazewell County's 56 copiers be awarded to a county business or to a Springfield company which the county administrator and staff say has a better product?
That was the decision facing county board members Wednesday. After a vigorous debate, Watts Copy Systems of Springfield won out over NCI Business Systems of Morton, which has the current five-year contract.
Watts' bid price was about $323,000, while NCI's bid was about $339,000.
"That's an insignificant cost difference, and my experience tells me there also will be a cost for switching," said board member Greg Menold.
"No disrespect to Mindy [County Administrator Mindy Darcy] and the staff, but I strongly support local businesses and think we should go with NCI."
Board member Nick Graff asked if the county was trading technology for a Tazewell County company.
"We're getting a better product at a lower cost," said Darcy.
Board member Nancy Proehl said the board's job is to set policy, "not micro-manage. I support what our administrator and staff have recommended."
Board member Max Schneider was more blunt when talking about the board members who favored NCI.
"This is Monday morning quarterbacking by people who will never use these copiers," he said.
Board member Eugene Glueck asked Darcy if the county has been satisfied with NCI's products and service over the past five-plus years.
"Their stuff isn't complete garbage, is it?" he said.
Darcy said the county has been pleased with NCI.
"We're simply getting a step up in quality from the machines we currently have," she said, referring to the Kyocera equipment that Watts will provide.
A vote to change the board finance committee's contract recommendation from Watts to NCI failed 11-6.
The county's copiers churn out approximately 3 million copies per year, about 2.7 million of them black and white.
About 20 copiers are used in the county courthouse for court functions [courtrooms, law library, court administration, advocates, judges, etc.], as well as the circuit clerk's offices and state's attorney's offices.
Most of the old copiers will be removed and recycled by Watts at no cost to the county. Darcy said the county will keep a few copiers for back-ups.
The new copiers will be under a service agreement with Watts for the term of the five-year lease, and will be installed from 30-45 days after the contract is signed. Installation should take seven to 10 business days.
Locally, Watts provides copiers and service for Pekin Community High School and Pekin Public Schools District 108.
Among NCI's local customers are Morton Township and Grace Church in Morton.
There were seven bids for the county contract.
