(Okoboji)– A committee looking into the cost effectiveness of establishing a municipal telecommunications utility in Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Orleans and Wahpeton Thursday opened up engineering proposals for a feasibility study.
The Opportunity Is Calling Committee had requested proposals from eight engineering firms, but heard back from only five. They range in cost from 59,940-dollars up to 217,700-dollars.
In this scenario, McNorton says the low bid may not necessarily be the best. He says committee members will mull over the proposals, and while the cost will certainly be in the back of their minds, that other factors need to be considered as well such as familiarity with the area, experience, personnel and other qualifications.
McNorton says the OCC will meet again May 20th at which time they’ll narrow the list of prospective engineering firms to three for interviews.
McNorton says their goal of having the feasibility study completed late this summer or early fall is still on target.
