County officials to city officials: "Give us an answer"

In April, the Winneshiek County Board sent a letter to the City of Decorah, asking it to pay $45,967 for some computer equipment that was purchased for joint county and city use.
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County officials gave city officials copies of the invoices from over $110,000 in computer purchases, showing for which purchases they felt the City of Decorah owed money.

Five months later, the city has not yet paid the county.  On Monday, county supervisors showed signs of frustration.  "The only one that's put ideas forward is the county," said supervisor John Logsdon.  Supervisor Mark Kuhn said the situation has become "a frustrating deal."

County IT Director Steve Smith said he checked prices with other suppliers and found most of them would have charged more than $45,967 for four years of using the equipment.  Logsdon said the city used the computer equipment for four years, so it ought to be willing to pay a realistic price for that use.  "It's time to negotiate terms," he said.

The Decorah City council will meet next Monday and is scheduled to discuss the issue.