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ITMD updates Workday timeline, flags network AI use and DEC hardware refresh in 2026 budget
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Summary
ITMD briefed the committee on enterprise projects: the Workday ERP go‑live is planned for June 2026 with extended testing in October; ITMD also reported pilot AI use and network traffic showing multiple external AI tools in use; the department seeks capital funds for DEC communications hardware refresh.
The Information Technology Management Division (ITMD) briefed the committee on 2025 accomplishments and 2026 capital needs, with a focus on the city’s enterprise systems and next‑year IT projects.
Director David Henke reported Workday (the replacement for the city’s legacy enterprise system) remains on a June 2026 go‑live target, but ITMD extended end‑to‑end testing into October after some testing milestones slipped. Henke explained that end‑to‑end testing covers complex payroll and hire‑to‑retire workflows across many pay codes and collective bargaining requirements and said October testing is intended to return the project to a green status.
ITMD also discussed pilots for generative AI and the need for enterprise governance. Henke said a weekly log check showed city staff accessed a dozen or more public AI tools on the municipal network and that the city needs both policy and an enterprise alternative to reduce data‑leak risks. ITMD and the Office of Innovation said they will pursue a coordinated approach — procuring a controlled, government‑oriented AI platform while expanding training and technical controls.
On capital needs, ITMD said several investments are related to the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC): Solacom hardware refresh (at contractually scheduled replacement cycles), server replacements and a broader tech benchmarking effort intended to identify long‑term efficiencies. Budget staff also told the committee that part of the department’s increased revenues in the 2026 draft reflected proposed one‑time sales of IPv4 address space (a one‑time revenue source flagged by the budget office).
Aldermen asked ITMD to provide a more detailed account of operating‑versus‑capital expenses and a breakdown of revenue sources cited in the draft budget. ITMD committed to providing a follow‑up breakdown and to working with the Office of Innovation and the City Information Management Committee on AI procurement and governance.
The committee did not vote on ITMD requests at the hearing; members asked ITMD for a more granular accounting of capital refresh timelines and a written plan for how AI pilots will be tested and managed enterprise‑wide.
