DEPARTMENT: Sheriff
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contract With T.W. Vending Inc., dba Turnkey Corrections For Inmate Telephone Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Sheriff to execute a contract authorization to execute contract With T.W. Vending Inc., dba Turnkey Corrections (Turnkey Corrections) for inmate telephone services.
SUMMARY
In 2025, the Dakota County Sheriff Office issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a vendor to provide telephone and tablet services to inmates of the Dakota County Jail. A careful comparison of the proposals received during this process was conducted by Sheriff’s Office staff. Turnkey Corrections was chosen as the recommended vendor who offered the most desirable services to Dakota County.
That current telephone contract expires December 31, 2025. Sheriff’s staff recommends authorizing the Sheriff to execute a contract with Turnkey Corrections to provide jail telephone services for the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.
Charges for services are within Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulations. Inmates will be charged $0.21 per minute for local, intrastate, and interstate telephone calls, $0.21 per minute for international calls, and $0.21 per minute for voicemails. Under the terms of the contract, the County will receive a commission of 57.14 percent of gross revenues for telephone. This is an increase from the previous contract, which provided 53 percent of gross revenues to the County. The commission revenue is placed into a “canteen” fund or a correctional revolving fund as defined in Minn. Stat. § 243.23, to be used for the benefit of the inmates.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Sheriff’s staff recommends authorizing the Sheriff to execute a contract with Turnkey Corrections to provide jail telephone services for the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The revenue for jail telephone services is included in the County Manager’s recommended 2026 Sheriff’s Office budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, in 2025, Dakota County Sheriff and Dakota County Attorney issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a vendor to provide telephone services to inmates of the Dakota County Jail; and
WHEREAS, a careful comparison of the four proposals received during this process was conducted by Sheriff’s Office staff; and
WHEREAS, T.W. Vending Inc., dba Turnkey Corrections (Turnkey Corrections) was chosen as the recommended vendor who offered the most desirable services to Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff wishes to execute this service through Turnkey Corrections for the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Sheriff to execute a contract with T.W. Vending Inc., dba Turnkey Corrections for Dakota County Jail inmate telephone services effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-305; 6/6/17
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Joe Leko
Author: Ben Verby