Ramy Zakaria outlines $64M technology improvement plan for county supervisors

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss a significant five-year technology improvement plan aimed at enhancing county operations and services. Chief Information Officer Ramy Zakaria presented the plan, which has an estimated cost of $64 million for the upcoming fiscal year, contributing to a total of over $102 million when combined with prior allocations.

A key focus of the meeting was the upgrade of the Acela software, a system that has been in use since 2002. Deputy County Executive Dave DeFonte emphasized the need to fully utilize the software's capabilities, which have not been maximized in the past. The county is transitioning this system to the cloud, a move that is expected to improve security and efficiency. DeFonte noted that this upgrade is a top priority, with new modules for building permits and inspections already launched.

The meeting also highlighted several other critical projects. A firewall refresh is set to go live this year, enhancing the county's cybersecurity measures. Additionally, the Human Resources case management system is in its second year of development, aimed at automating personnel services.

Another significant update came from the property tax system replacement project, which is on track to go live in September 2025. Project Manager Ryan McLean reported that the new system will improve security, efficiency, and accuracy in managing over $2.8 billion in property taxes. The project is currently 83% complete, with 12 out of 16 major milestones achieved.

The Board also discussed the ambitious Social Health Information Exchange project, which aims to create a county-wide data infrastructure linking health, social services, criminal justice, and housing data. This project is expected to roll out in three phases, with the first phase focused on building the core infrastructure.

In conclusion, the Board's discussions reflect a commitment to modernizing county technology and improving service delivery to residents. As these projects progress, they promise to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of county operations, ultimately benefiting the community at large.