Tax Office Approves $192K for Software Maintenance and New GIS Infrastructure Agreement

Columbia County officials have taken significant steps to enhance their technological infrastructure during the Development and Planning Services Committee meeting held on August 12. The committee approved several key agreements aimed at improving operational efficiency and data management.

One of the primary decisions was the authorization to pay $192,685 for the annual maintenance of the software used by the tax commissioner’s office and the tax assessor’s office. This software, essential for billing and mass appraisal, will continue to support the county's day-to-day operations. Although there is a slight increase in cost compared to last year, staff members assured that this is not a new purchase but a continuation of an existing agreement with Tyler Technologies.

Additionally, the committee approved a new year-to-year agreement with CoreSite for colocation space, which will facilitate internet service operations for the county. This agreement, costing $28,500 annually, replaces a previous contract with JT Communications, which is no longer in operation.

Another significant move was the approval of a $226,040 agreement with ROK Technologies to transition the county's Geographic Information System (GIS) infrastructure to a remote site. This shift to a software-as-a-service model is expected to enhance disaster recovery capabilities and operational resilience. The county anticipates that this change will not only improve efficiency but also potentially offset costs by eliminating the need for certain existing expenditures.

These decisions reflect Columbia County's commitment to leveraging technology for better service delivery and operational effectiveness. As these agreements move forward, the county aims to keep stakeholders informed about any financial implications and improvements in service delivery.