Mount Prospect postpones laptops purchase

After a year of shrunken revenues, Mount Prospect trustees are scrutinizing their expenses more than ever.

On Tuesday, IT Director Joan Middleton went before the board to ask for almost $76,000 to buy 14 laptops for the village's fire, police and public works departments. The purchase represents about one-third of the all village laptops, and was part of its regular replacement rotation, she said.

But many village trustees said Middleton didn't give them enough information to approve the purchase, so they deferred the decision until July 6.

Trustee Paul Hoefert said he was ready to vote against the purchase Tuesday.

"It always feels like we need to buy the best technology, but we don't always," Hoefert said. "I'm just not sure about this."

Trustee Arlene Juracek agreed with Hoefert and pointed out that fire and police departments defer buying new squad cars and firetrucks a year or two to save money

"I don't think just because the money is there we need to spend it," she said. "I'm not really convinced."

Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl said the laptops were very much needed - with 10 of the 14 going to the police department. The rugged laptops would be used on the go and could withstand rigorous conditions of the outdoors, extreme temperatures and road vibrations.

"A lot of people are waiting for these," Strahl said.

It will take two months for employees to get the computers if the purchase is approved, Middleton said.