The Monday, August 25, 2014 county commissioners meeting agenda had an item on it seeking to allow the purchase of uniforms for their information technology employees.
The backup material offered the following:
The appearance of employees reflects the professional image of our department. Uniforms have significant impact on the way our staff are viewed by other departments and the general public. ITD aims to provide its employees with comfortable and professional uniforms that project a good professional image and comply with Occupational Health and Safety guidelines.
With uniforms, ITD staff can be quickly identified, while performing service in County departments. The uniforms also create a consistent and professional appearance. The uniforms meet health and safety guidelines.
ITD is requesting the Court to consider transferring funds within the ITD operating budget and allow ITD to program those funds for the purchase of uniforms.
Thirteen (13) staff members will be issued uniforms. Each uniform set will cost 269.00. ITD has created internal policies that detail the maintenance and use of County issued uniforms.
The county has not posted the minutes of the meeting so I don’t know how the vote went on this. I suspect that it passed since it was on the consent portion of the agenda. The total to be spent was $3,497.00.
According to the county web site these people are paid between $31 thousand and $107 thousand per year.
The documentation did not mention buying shoes for the employees. Maybe that will be next.
Too much
The county must have too much money if they can spend it on things like this.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
Since these “Uniforms” will not be like an Air Force Flight Suit, or Farmers Overalls or a 1976 one piece jump suit, they only thing left really, is a Polo Shirt with a logo and pants for $269.00.
I also doubt that their “Uniform” would be a dress suit with a gold medallion on the pocket.
So, $269.00 seems a little high for a Polo Shirt and pants and if they are anything like me, then they’d each need different sizes every few months. So, $269.00 will not be the end of it.
These “Uniforms” would also have to be replaced due to wear and tear, little holes and cigarette burns.
So, I think were looking at about 6 new “Uniforms” per year for EACH employee.
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I know some of the guys in the county’s IT department and this surprises me. They are a huge level above the city’s IT department for the most part. So who there is driving this? The new CTO?
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Just as the city refuses to call a tax a tax, the county will not call a raise a raise. Buying clothing for county employees is simply another benefit for government employees. In many private sector companies, the employee would be required to purchase their uniform out of their own pocket. A few thousand dollars is seen as no big deal when it’s coming out of taxpayer pockets. Multiply that times hundreds of city and county departments and you have serious waste.
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here is a picture of the new uniforms: http://briellecostumes.typepad.com/.a/6a0134804df3cb970c017d3fe66a75970c-500wi
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You don’t need a uniform to identify an IT guy! Just look for the pocket protector, high waist pants, and the Converse sneakers.
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So if a computer problem develops and the IT section is called, suddenly a technician arrives. He or she proceeds to make repairs, the county employees, the only way go identify to identify them, is a uniform?
Well, then each county department should have its own uniform. Get some pointers from the US Navy Aircraft carrier deck crews !
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Good update, thanks. However, we have to read between the lines a little with the county. Who is providing the uniforms, and why do they cost nearly 300.00 per uniform? What do they include? Why is it not approved by the public in the form of bond money, since there is restrictive funds in the county…I am assuming. Also, the importance of a uniform that makes the company look professional? Who is the company, or corporation in this instance? I can answer that one, the county is a quasi-corporation branch of the state corporation. They get away with this because the ones managing the corporate state of Texas allow to work with other corporations select to make decisions and provide business interaction. If you are not part of the inner circle of the state, county, or city, forget it and forget you. That’s our Fascist and totalitarian government.
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