20191015_mh1jo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
FROM:MATT HUNTER
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE:OCTOBER 10,2019
SUBJECT:SHORT-TERM RENEWAL OF TRS ADMINISTRATOR'S CONTRACT
The existing contract between the Commission and its Telecommunications Relay
Services (TRS)Administrator,Bob Dunbar,expires on October 17,2019.Idaho Code §61-
1303(1)states that the Commission "shall contract with a qualified person to administer"the
TRS program.The TRS program allows citizens who are hearing or speech-impaired to engage
in telephone communications "in a manner functionallyequivalent to that of individuals without
hearing or speech impairments."Idaho Code §61-1301.Commission Staff has been seeking a
new TRS Administrator for some months now,as Mr.Dunbar did not wish to renew his contract.
While Staff is near to selecting a replacement TRS Administrator,the position will not be filled
until late October 2019.In light of the Commission's need,Mr.Dunbar has agreed to continue in
his role as TRS Administrator through the end of October.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the TRS Act,the Commission has contracted with Mr.Dunbar to
administer the TRS program since its inception in 1993.Under the general terms of the TRS
contract,Mr.Dunbar performs the duties of the TRS Administrator including,but not limited to:
filing annual and quarterly TRS reports;meeting with stakeholders;contracting with a service
provider to actually perform the relay services;issuing RFPs for relay services;evaluating relay
bids in response to RFPs;and performing other duties as required by the Commission.
Under the current contract,the Administrator is compensated at a rate of $60.00 per
hour.The Administrator's compensation is not to exceed $1,500 during the term of the contract
DECISION MEMORANDUM l
without the express written permission of the Commission.Contract §4.1.Either party may
terminate the contract by giving 7 days'notice.Id.at §4.4.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff believes that Mr.Dunbar has admirably performed his duties as TRS
Administrator.He has been the TRS Administrator since 1993,and has efficiently discharged
his duties during his tenure.The purpose of this contract is to ensure that a qualified person
fulfills the duties of the TRS Administrator while Staff seeks Mr.Dunbar's replacement.Staff
recommends that the Commission enter into a new contract with Mr.Dunbar for a two-week
period,beginning October 18,2019 and terminating October 31,2019.
COMMISSION DECISION
Does the Commission wish to:
1.Contract with Mr.Dunbar as the TRS Administrator for a two-week period
(beginning October 18,2019 and terminating October 31,2019),pursuant to
Idaho Code §61-1303(1)(a)?
2.Authorize the Commission President to enter into a substantially similar
contract with Mr.Dunbar in the unlikely event that a suitable replacement for
Mr.Dunbar is not secured prior to October 31,2019?
Matt Hunter
Deputy AttorneyGeneral
I:\Legal\CONTRACTS\TRS_Dunbar\Memos\TRS Contract 2019 Dunbar extension_mh.doc
DECISION MEMORANDUM 2