The Butler County Prison Board voted Tuesday, June 16, to advertise for proposals for inmate technology, which includes phone service, tablets and video visits.

The board is seeking proposals because the contract with the current provider, Smart Communications, expires Jan. 24; and new rules from the Federal Communications Commission require lower phone use rates for inmates and reduce commissions for prisons.

Warden Beau Sneddon said the request for proposals will be posted July 1 and a site visit for contractors will be held July 22. The proposals will be opened Aug. 13 and a contract will be awarded Aug. 20 The new provider will take over on Jan. 24.

The request for proposals requires approval from the county commissioners and will appear on the agenda for Wednesday’s commissioners meeting.

In addition, Sneddon said the prison will spend slightly over $42,000 on three new clothes dryers, which were anticipated to cost $80,000.

“This is a rare case of good news in government purchasing,” Sneddon said.

He credited chief county clerk Shawn Pugh, facilities and operations director Mike Hillwig and maintenance supervisor Joe Magnani for assisting.

He said Magnani obtained a free 90-day warranty extension and the prison maintenance staff, along with Hillwig’s staff, will save at least $4,000 by installing the dryers.

Sneddon also said the new radio system is working well during testing. He said Emergency Services director Steve Bicehouse obtained central control radio at no cost, saving money for the prison. A $5 antenna was purchased. The new system will be operational when the central control radio is installed, he said.