Following through with the Court’s directive to actively pursue cost savings on all fronts, Ellis County Purchasing Agent Alisha Wickens asked Commissioners for approval to participate in two cooperative purchasing programs, the National Joint Purchasing Association and the Cooperative Purchasing Network.

“This is just another resource for us to use to get the best possible pricing,” Wickens said. “There is no obligation.”

After approving the agreements, subject to legal review, the Court also approved an agreement with Xerox for the lease of various copiers throughout the County, to replace copiers with less functionality whose leases had expired or were set to expire in the near future.  A full presentation by Xerox was made during a workshop a few weeks ago.

A proposal to enter into an exclusive purchasing agreement with Staples under the terms of the National Joint Purchasing Association will be taken up at a later date after Wickens gathers additional input from department heads for direct comparisons.

“The sentiment is to move forward, but we also don’t want to see it become a complicated matter,” said County Judge Carol Bush.

Wickens indicated she will also investigate whether there could be a test period to assist in a full evaluation of the proposal.

Special Projects Director Kathy Eriksen updated the Court on progress toward narrow banding of public safety radios and said she will be reaching out to other agencies that communicate with the Sheriff’s Dispatch to keep them informed as the project continues.