County revisits Figgers Communication contract

The Gadsden Board of County Commissioners still refuses to pay Figgers Communication after entering a contract with the company last January.

Commissioner Eric Hinson recommended getting with Figgers Communication to see if the county could work out a new contract.

Immediately after the initial rollout, the broadband internet project was halted, and has since been at a standstill.

“We’ve tried to take into account some of the clerk's prior concerns, in regard to advance payments,” the count’s attorney Clayton Knowles said.

The contract he devised did not include advance payment, and the county will be purchasing 25,000 devices.

He said the devices could be delivered at one time or in installments.

Commissioner Anthony Viegbesie asked what the fiscal impact would be to the county - receiving an answer that it may be up to $1.765 Million.

The county will be responsible for distribution of the devices, which will go on until April of next year.

Once citizens receive devices and they’re activated, Figgers Communication will send the county an invoice for service, Knowles said.

“If we got 1,000 devices, we pay for 1,000 devices; if we get 10,000 devices we pay for 10,000 devices,” Knowles said.

The county may pay up to $1,765,000 for the devices.

Citizens will receive three months of service, free to them.

Last year Figgers Communication, which is owned by Gadsden County native Freddie Figgers, hired locals to help with the distribution.

Knowles said county staff will be handling the distribution, so he doesn’t think any outside staff will be hired this time.

Attorney Levi Williams, representing Figgers Communication, attended the meeting via Zoom.

“Whatever we can do to facilitate your vision, we’re ready to do it,” Williams said.

Citizens were also given an opportunity to provide input during the meeting between the county and Figgers.

“I think this would be a great opportunity for Gadsden County and its citizens,” Yvette Bittle, who advocates for citizens of Gadsden County said; Bittle said she pays $50 a month for internet services.

Bittle said people were excited about the initiative when it first launched.

“Then for it to be taken away like that, that was bad,” she added.

Commissioner Ronterrious Green said he was excited about the three months of free service that was in the first contract, and he pointed out that has changed to one month in the new contract.

Green said the project was on the table before he joined the board, but he said had he been a part of the original discussion, he would have asked for a need assessment.

He said he doesn’t feel the county needs 25,000 devices.

“I just want to make sure before we agree on anything that we are assured that we really need 25,000 devices, or as the contract stated if only 1,000 are given out then we’re only responsible for that 1,000

that was given out,” Green said.

Commissioner Brenda Holt said the only reason the matter was brought back before the board is because Hinson requested it.

Holt said she did not agree with the contract for multiple reasons.

“The contract that we offered for the 30 days was to be distributed through the school board, and the

reason for that was to say that ‘X number of children need a device, X number of children get a device,’” Holt said. “We know how many are delivered, and that’s the point Commissioner Green is making.”

Holt also pointed out the contract says the Figgers won't be liable for any losses or breaks in transit.

“If it’s broken when I get it, I don’t want it,” Holt said.

Holt also said the county does not have the staff to go and set the devices up.

Holt recommended going through the school board so children can take home surveys that parents or

guardians can fill out saying if they want a device or not.

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith said he had the same concerns as Holt and Green.

County Clerk Nicholas Thomas said the advanced payment issue was not resolved.

He said if Figgers Communication delivers 25,000 devices and the county pays for them, but they’re not all distributed, then they will remain in the county’s custody.

“That becomes the biggest waste of money ever in Gadsden County’s history because you’ve paid all

this money and that’s going to sit around and rot,” Thomas said.

Thomas also said the county never received W-9s from Figgers Communication.

He also pointed out that the contrast lists the company as “Figeers Communications” instead of Figgers

Communication on the signature page.

He also pointed out that Figgers Communications is a dissolved company.

“At this point I assume that’s intentional because you can’t go after them after they’ve gotten your money,” Thomas said.

Hinson said that was just a typo made by the county.

Thomas said the county would use residual Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to pay Figgers Communication.

Thomas said he doesn’t see the purchase of the broadband internet service and wireless devices as a legitimate local government expenditure.

“What I see here is waste,” Thomas said. “I see corruption.”

Thomas said there’s a statute that says the clerk shall not pay for anything that’s an illegal charge to the county.

“I’ve got to inform you all, I’m not going to pay this contract if you vote for it,” Thomas said. “You can sue me. Figgers can sue me. We’ll go to court. I’m bound to pay for it under those terms.”

Holt said $1.7 million has been spent on a couple of roads that the board did not approve since her history and that is not justified either.

Hinson moved to direct the county administrator and county attorney to speak with Figgers Communication to find a middle ground to satisfy the concerns the clerk had.

Motion died for lack of a second.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

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County revisits Figgers Communication contract

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Chattahoochee holds meet-and-greet for police chief, praising his involvement in the community

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