Renegotiation in the works with two tech companies

A higher than anticipated price tag had a Kane County committee second-guessing the hiring of a consultant that will guide officials through researching and implementing a technology upgrade for the judicial system Friday.

The upgrade might cost as much as $12.6 million. But the county board only budgeted $90,000 to hire a consultant to help with the upgrade. A subcommittee selected Seattle-based MTG Management Consultants for the job earlier this month. But the full technology committee balked at that recommendation Friday when learning that MTG’s plan would see the county pay them at least $223,000 for all its services and possibly more before the entire project is complete.

That price tag sparked some committee members to automatically lean toward the subcommittee’s second consultant choice, the National Center for State Courts. But county staff members said officials should take a hard look at the qualifications, promises, processes and costs involved with the two proposals before making a final decision. That includes negotiating a, possibly, lower final price tag with each company before making a final selection. Any total surpassing the $90,000 already budgeted will require the county board to OK the additional expense and find a way to pay for it.

Judge F. Keith Brown is leading the committee. He said cost can’t be the lone factor in choosing between the two companies. The end result must be a more efficient computer system that actually suits the needs of the departments in the judicial system, he said.

“I want to get this job done in an efficient manner and at a responsible cost,” Brown said. “Just because something costs more than the other doesn’t mean it’s not a responsible cost. Not everyone needs a Mercedes, but sometimes a Kia won’t work.”

Brown named a team to renegotiate prices with the two finalists once again, as well as get a detailed cost breakdown so the committee has more of an apples-to-apples comparison of the services offered. That delay in moving ahead will tighten the timeline for a decision. Brown wants the consultant in place by the end of the month if possible.

The committee also welcomed its final member Friday and named her to the team who will negotiate prices with MTG and the National Center for State Courts. Annette Pierson joins the committee as the public representative. She is the vice president for information technology for both Harco National Insurance Co. and TransGuard Insurance Co. of America.