City Council debates IT staffing and HR manager budget amid cybersecurity concerns

Concerns over cybersecurity and staffing dominated the Sedro-Woolley City Council meeting on May 28, 2025, as council members debated the necessity of hiring a full-time IT support specialist amid rising cyber threats. Councilman Burns highlighted the risks of outsourcing IT functions, emphasizing that a single cyber attack could cost the city significantly more than the salary of an in-house IT professional. He argued for maintaining a robust internal IT department to safeguard sensitive information.

The council ultimately voted to pause the hiring of an additional IT workstation support specialist, with plans to revisit the issue in the next budget cycle. This decision came after a lengthy discussion about the city's vulnerability to ransomware attacks, particularly affecting smaller municipalities.

In a related discussion, the council also tackled the contentious issue of hiring a full-time HR manager versus an HR analyst. Council members expressed differing opinions on the necessity and cost of the HR position, with some advocating for the higher salary of a manager to ensure experienced oversight, while others suggested a lower-cost analyst role might suffice. The debate underscored the city's ongoing struggle to balance budget constraints with the need for adequate staffing to manage human resources effectively.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the budget amendment that included the HR manager position, reflecting a consensus on the importance of having dedicated HR expertise to mitigate risks and enhance city operations. As the council moves forward, the implications of these staffing decisions will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the increasing cyber threats facing local governments.