Commissioners require IT sign-off on software licensing and support purchases beginning Oct. 1

The McLennan County Commissioners Court approved a procedural change that will require the county's Information Technology (IT) department to review and sign off on purchases recorded to the software licensing, maintenance and support line item beginning Oct. 1, 2025. Frances (county finance/administrative staff) told the court that departments already typically vet technology purchases through IT for hardware, but the proposed change would add a formal approval step specifically for software licensing and support so IT can verify security, integration and supportability before the purchase is finalized. She said the change will be implemented using the county's electronic purchase-order system and will not remove departmental control of line-item budgets. Commissioners approved the procedural change by voice vote. Frances said the objective is to reduce security and compatibility issues by ensuring IT reviews software contracts and licensing commitments prior to expenditure. The court did not change departmental budgets in this action; the change is procedural and applies only to the software licensing/support expenditure category.