During a recent government meeting, the fiscal year 2025 technology budget was presented, highlighting a notable increase in personal services and ordinary maintenance costs. The budget reflects an 8.4% rise in personal services, attributed to the full funding of two existing positions—one desktop support and one junior desktop support—as well as the addition of a part-time position following a retirement. The current project manager's retirement prompted a request to retain him temporarily to assist in the transition and knowledge transfer for his successor.

Ordinary maintenance costs are projected to increase by 12.46%, primarily due to the relocation of an opera project to the IT budget and additional software modules requested by various departments. The budget also accounts for maintenance costs related to new network equipment purchased for the summer public schools and regular annual software license increases.

Councilor Scott raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the budget in light of recent cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks affecting nearby municipalities. He questioned the absence of a more substantial allocation for network security enhancements, especially following a ransomware attempt on the city's public school system.

In response, IT Director Gunderson emphasized ongoing efforts to bolster email security, which is a significant attack vector. He acknowledged the need for a cautious approach, focusing on optimizing existing security measures before considering new products. Gunderson expressed a commitment to ensuring that current systems are properly configured and secure, rather than simply investing in new technologies.

The discussion underscored the importance of user education and robust security protocols to mitigate risks associated with cyber threats. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for vigilance and strategic planning in addressing cybersecurity challenges while managing the technology budget effectively.