New Baltimore Explores Cheaper Phone Rates

New Baltimore is calling upon new phone service options in effort to save the city money.

The New Baltimore City Council is expected to decide Monday night whether to switch carriers from AT&T to another, cheaper service that could save the city about $20,000, Clerk Marcia Shinska said.

"The service is reliable but the rates are high," Shinska said of the existing AT&T plan that costs about $60,000 annually.

Southfield-based Clear Rate Communications is under consideration for the plan that would affect all departmental landlines. City employee cell phone plans would be explored at a later date, she said.

Since the city is on a month-to-month contract with the existing provider, the new plan would be effective soon if approved.

Also on the agenda for the meeting:

• The council will vote on the appointment of a new member of the Downtown Development Authority following the resignation of owner Liz Aprea.
• Department of Public Works is requesting the purchase of a new two-ton-capacity hot asphalt trailer from Bell Equipment for the cost of $11,540 and a mini excavator from Klochko Equipment Company for the amount of $29,400.
• A Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to change nonprofit rental fees for all pavilions starting Jan. 1 will go before council. Under the proposal, nonprofit groups in the city will still not be charged for pavilions from Monday through Thursday but will have to pay $250 for Friday-Sunday rentals unless city council approves nonprofit events. Previously, the groups did not have to pay for pavilion rentals.
• The city's property and casualty insurance premium will be presented at a rate of $103,698. The amount is $1,950 lower if the city decides to refuse so-called terrorism coverage.

To view the entire agenda, click here. The council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in.