True, it did (from congestion-based throttling to data-cap-based throttling), and nefariously so. But that's not my discussion point here. According to the article, they have special services for "public safety services" that this department was not using. Why not? Does their neighboring department? Or the state of CA? Trying to save a buck or general ignorance towards what's available? The general ignorance can be excused due to misleading claims of "unlimited", but I'm saying in this sucky world, they have to overcome that and maybe they can with more research or asking other departments/governments or Verizon themselves.

These cellular contracts are negotiated under the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA), its $37.99 on both Verizon and AT&T for "Unlimited" data. In a prior life I had more overview on these plans, and only Verizon directly throttled these plans, AT&T would let you use hundreds of gigs with no issue.

Also, these plans are bespoke and rarely worked with, its likely their Verizon rep didn't bother to look into any of the handful of custom plans that you get as a WSCA account. Another benefit is a flat 25% discount or thereabouts IIRC, any public agency or charity in most states can get these plans FYI.