BATON ROUGE, La. — November 2, 2020 — Mayor- President Sharon Weston Broome announced Monday the launch of Phase One of the City-Parish Unified Communications Telecommunication System Upgrade.
System upgrades will replace the existing 42 individual communication systems within city-parish offices. In addition to unifying the city-parish systems, the technology upgrades will replace obsolete technology; decrease system maintenance costs; increase end user and call traffic capacity; and decrease mobile and long-distance calling costs.
The City-Parish is expected to save $1.5 million over five years by reducing the annual operation costs of the existing telecommunication infrastructure — representing a 315.09% return on investment for taxpayers.
“The Unified Communications Telecommunication System Upgrade is the continuation of our effort to transform the City-Parish government into one that prioritizes technology, digital innovation, service and transparency,” said Mayor Broome. “Our new telecommunication system will open the lines of communication between City-Parish departments and the people they serve.”
The upgrades will be completed in two phases throughout 2021; Phase One includes telecommunication upgrades for the following agencies:
- Information Services
- Planning Commission
- Department of Development
- Finance Service Fees
- Building & Grounds
- Business Operations
- Workforce Development
- Department of Maintenance
- Transportation & Drainage
- Parish Attorney’s Office
- Mayor’s Office
- Community Development
- Metro Council
- Public Information
- Purchasing
- Finance
- Fleet Management
- Environmental Services