Sammamish unveils comprehensive IT strategic plan for future technology upgrades

During the Sammamish City Council meeting on May 12, 2025, the primary focus was on the presentation of the Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan, delivered by Jim Hominyk, the city's IT director. This strategic plan, developed over the past year, aims to address the city's technology needs and improve operational efficiency across various departments.

Hominyk outlined the comprehensive needs assessment conducted with input from 39 city staff members and a technology partner, Flow Analytics. This assessment revealed both strengths and weaknesses within the city's current IT infrastructure. Notably, it was discovered that some departments, such as Parks, were operating independent systems that were not integrated with the city's main IT framework, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of documentation.

The strategic plan identifies several key areas for improvement, including the integration of enterprise systems that would allow different departments to communicate more effectively. Hominyk emphasized the importance of moving towards industry standards, which would facilitate better data sharing and management. He also highlighted the challenges posed by outdated systems, which can hinder support and increase costs.

A significant aspect of the plan is the proposed roadmap for technology investments over the next five to six years, aligning with the city's capital improvement programs. The council discussed the anticipated upgrades to the financial system and the permitting system, with timelines set for implementation. These upgrades are expected to streamline operations and potentially lead to cost savings by reducing the number of smaller, less efficient systems currently in use.

Council members expressed interest in the metrics that would be used to measure the success of these initiatives. They suggested that clear indicators, such as the number of systems retired and improvements in security, would help demonstrate the value of the investments to the community.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing its IT infrastructure, with a focus on integration, efficiency, and security. As the council moves forward with these initiatives, ongoing communication and updates will be essential to ensure transparency and community engagement in the process.