TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the New Master Services Agreement Between the City of North Port, Florida, on Behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire Internet and Television Services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 Located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 With the Revised Expiration Date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-Month Term in the Amount of $15,008.04.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the new Master Services Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire internet and television services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term in the amount of $15,008.04.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the new Master Services Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire internet and television Services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term in the amount of $15,008.04.
• Pros: Maintains internet connectivity and redundancy at the North Port Police Department, PD3 where Police Department personnel work daily. This facility also serves as the City of North Port Disaster Recovery Site, housing backups of all production servers. Utilizing Hotwire as one of two internet service providers, ensures continuous connectivity to the City of North Port’s critical backup infrastructure.
• Cons: Requires allocation of $15,008.04 over three years for this Master Service Agreement, potentially diverting resources from other essential City initiatives, including public safety enhancements, equipment upgrades, or community programs that could address broader operational needs.
Option 2: Deny the new Master Services Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire internet and television services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term in the amount of $15,008.04.
• Pros: Liberates $15,008.04 over three years, enabling the City of North Port to redirect these funds toward alternative priorities, such as investing in additional disaster preparedness measures; technology upgrades for other Departments; or community outreach efforts to improve public engagement and safety.
• Cons: Reduces connectivity capacity and may compromise overall preparedness.
Background Information
The North Port Police Department negotiated a new Master Services Agreement with Hotwire Communications, Ltd., to deliver Hotwire internet and television services to the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term in the amount of $15,008.04. Hotwire Communications, Ltd., a fiber-optic provider operating in the region, supplies these services under a three-year Contract commencing upon Commission approval. The North Port Police Department, PD3 accommodates approximately 10 Police Department personnel who conduct daily operations there. The facility functions as the North Port Police Department's designated Disaster Recovery Site, containing backups for all departmental systems. The Hotwire connection operates alongside another service to maintain reliable links between the North Port Police Department, PD3; the Police Department Headquarters located at 4980 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, Florida, 34286; and external networks. This redundancy supports uninterrupted operations during potential disruptions, such as an outage at the Police Department Headquarters.
The new Master Services Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire internet and television services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The new Master Services Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida, on behalf of the North Port Police Department and Hotwire Communications, Ltd. (“Hotwire”) for Hotwire internet and television services for the North Port Police Department, PD3 located at 19955 Preto Boulevard, Venice, Florida, 34293 with a revised expiration date of January 30, 2026, for a 36-month term was provided to the City Clerk’s Office for signatures on November 26, 2025, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community.
Financial Impact
$416.89 monthly for 36 months, totaling $15,008.04.
Account Number: 001-2100-521.41-00.
Funding Source: General Fund (Police Department Communication Services)
Procurement
This service is exempt from competition pursuant to Article VIII. Procurement, Sec. 2-403(a)(3)k - Exemption - Water, sewer, electrical, cable television or other utility services.
Attachments:
1. New Master Services Agreement With Hotwire Communications
2. Florida Division of Corporations
3. Procurement Exemption Form
Prepared by: Christopher Morales, Deputy Chief of Police
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police