Tarrant County debates $216K consultant for SAP system evaluation

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting on April 17, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding the county's financial oversight and potential upgrades to its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

A key discussion centered on the status of the county's commissary operations. Officials reported that previous observations and recommendations from an audit had been largely addressed, with only one outstanding item related to the periodic review of security roles and permissions. The auditor's office confirmed that processes have been implemented to ensure compliance, and inventory controls have also been improved. The court unanimously voted to receive and file the report, indicating satisfaction with the progress made.

Another major topic was the potential upgrade of the county's aging SAP system, which has been in use for approximately 20 years. The court discussed the possibility of hiring a consulting firm to evaluate alternatives to the current system, with estimates suggesting that maintaining the SAP system could cost the county between $75 million and $80 million over the next decade. Some commissioners expressed skepticism about the necessity of hiring a consultant for $216,000, questioning whether internal IT staff could conduct the evaluation. However, proponents argued that an impartial analysis would provide valuable insights into the best options for the county's needs.

The discussion highlighted the importance of considering both integrated ERP solutions and separate systems that could offer greater flexibility. The potential for significant cost savings—estimated at $30 million to $40 million over ten years—was also emphasized, contingent on careful planning and execution of the transition.

As the meeting concluded, commissioners agreed to allow further discussions with the consulting team to clarify the benefits of their services and to ensure that all members had the opportunity to review the proposal in detail before making a final decision. The urgency of the matter was noted, as the current SAP version is expected to be phased out, prompting the need for timely action.