11/16/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION A Report on Telephone Company Divestiture The Board reviewed the following memo dated 11/7/83: TO: The Honorable Members of CRATE: November 7, 1983 FILE: the Board of County Commissioners THRU: C. B. rdin, Jr. Ph. D. Asst. County Admin. REPORT ON TELEPHONE GENE RR --SERVICES DIVISION SUBJECT: COMPANY DIVESTURE FROM: Lynn Williams, Supt. REFERENCES: Building and Grounds Staff recently attended a one day workshop concerning the Federal Court Divesture ruling pertaining to Southern Bell..and the Bell System. The workshop was provided for state agencies and local government to disseminate information available on how these rulings would impact telephone service in Florida. Appearances are that several key issues concerning the breakup have not been decided at this time. A conversion of ownership and responsibility for various services will take effect on January 1, 1984. A new company, ATT -IS, will assume existing lease and purchase agreements for equipment now in place and presently served by Soutbern Bell. ATT -IS will be anon -regulated free enterprise company com- peting with other equipment vendors in the sale and installation of telephone systems. Dial -tone, and local service will be pro- vided by Southern Bell, a company regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission and franchised in this area of Florida. ATT -IS will be offering to County an option to purchase the in-place equipment sometime during the first quarter of 1984. The County presently has several lease agreements ranging from 48 to 60 months for in-place equipment. These agreements will convert to ATT -IS on January 1, 1984. Purchase of in-place equipment would be very expensive and far beyond budgeted amounts for telephone services in the General Services Budget. Southern Bell is recom- mending to its customers that they do not hastily purchase replace- ment or in-place equipment without thorough analysis. The final rulings are to,be handed down the end of this month. At that time, staff will begin review of alternatives available and return to the Commission with recommendations.