More vendors vie for county tech business

With Putnam County's technology needs already being courted by a number of businesses, two more came before the commissioners for consideration at Monday's meeting.

Indiana Business Equipment recently completed a study of the county's use of printers, copiers, fax machines and multi-purposes devices, with an eye toward serving the county's needs as a single, central vendor.

On Monday, Copyco Office Solutions came before the commissioners with a similar proposal.

Commissioner Gene Beck told Copyco's representatives the county is not on a specific timetable, but is assessing its technology needs at this time.

Similarly, representatives from 12 Point Telecom and Gibson Teldata have spoken to the commissioners about providing service to the county's telephone and computer systems.

Gibson's director of sales Don Barrett was at Monday's meeting making another pitch to the commissioners. He reminded them that the county has a warranty on its phone system, which was installed by HOP. Because Gibson bought out HOP's technology division, it will honor the warranty through the end of 2012.

Michael Rogers of Logical Choice Inc. also spoke to the commissioners about his Greencastle-based company serving the county's IT, technology and security needs. He said his company does not service phones at this time, but would like to be considered for the county's computer needs.

"We are another viable alternative," Rogers said.

In other technology matters, Jon Tesmer reported his revamp of the county's website is 95 percent complete. The site co.putnam.in.us now looks up to date and provides ways for citizens to take care of things such as applying for marriage licenses and paying traffic tickets online.

Members of the Putnam County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals were at Monday's meeting to discuss proposed changes to the county's planning and zoning ordinance.

At issue is exactly the best way for the county to preserve its rural character. Currently, any properties zoned as A1 must be a minimum of 10 acres, while any zoned A2 must be a minimum of five. These rules are in the interest of minimizing the density of population and housing.

The concerns voiced by some are in the practical application of this rule, and how it results in people purchasing properties larger than they want. The end result is often large, unused back lots that are no longer used for agriculture anyway.

The commissioners tabled the proposed amendments, but will revisit the issue, along with the Plan Commission and BZA.

Local Rural Transit director Denny Glenn asked the board about the possibility of the closure of the Courthouse Annex, as it houses his office. The Rural Transit buses are also parked in the annex lot.

"I can relocate my office pretty easy, but I can't take my buses uptown and park them on the square," Glenn said.

The commissioners told Glenn the parking lot will remain available regardless of their decision on the annex.

No decision has been made on the future of the annex or the offices located therein, but Beck said county officials will know more by month's end.