Verizon presents tracking system

Jay County Commissioners are considering technology that would allow for electronic monitoring of the county’s fleet of highway department vehicles.
“I think it’s something we ought to take a look at,” said commissioner Faron Parr after a presentation during Monday’s meeting by Nicholas Rodriguez of Verizon Telematics.
The system outlined by Verizon would install a small unit in each of the highway department’s 19 trucks that would connect to the vehicle’s computer system.
The system would not only track the location of each vehicle but would also be used for keeping track of maintenance by monitoring engine time rather than miles driven.
“It’s an interesting concept,” said highway department superintendent Ken Wellman.
Rodriguez said Verizon has been involved in fleet monitoring, particularly with the U.S. military, since 1999. Because of its relationship with the military, the company offers a sizeable price break to units of government.
The upfront cost would be $110.23 to install the monitoring equipment, then a monthly charge of $18.95 per vehicle.
Commissioners suggested Wellman put together cost estimates that could be used this year and for next year’s budgeting.
See Presents page 2
Continued from page 1
In other business, commissioners:
•Heard a request from veterans’ service officer Cliff Moser for manpower. Moser is requesting a 15-hour-per-week part-time employee to help with the veterans’ service office workload. Commissioners said they will explore the idea.
•Learned from emergency management director Ralph Frazee that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security will be conducting a “roadshow” seminar day on March 15 at EMS Station 3 in Muncie.
•Approved the purchase of two Ford Explorer’s from Bloomington Ford at the recommendation of Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford for use by the sheriff’s office. Total cost after trade-ins will be $50,646.50. Ford recommended going with the base model rather than the police package, saying he thought it would improve the eventual trade-in value in the future.
•Adopted the county’s multi-hazard mitigation plan at Frazee’s recommendation. The plan is updated every four or five years.
“There weren’t any major changes,” Frazee told commissioners.