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Fortuna council approves $11,334 supplemental appropriation to replace police computers for DOJ cybersecurity compliance
Summary
The council approved an $11,333.85 supplemental budget request to replace outdated police department computers to maintain secure CLETS access and comply with Department of Justice requirements ahead of an October 1 deadline.
Fortuna City Council on Tuesday approved an $11,333.85 supplemental appropriation from the general fund to replace outdated police department computers and meet Department of Justice cybersecurity requirements.
The police chief told the council that Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 Pro on Oct. 1 and that the department’s connection to CLETS, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, requires DOJ‑compliant, supported software. The chief said, “Without updated computers, we will be out of compliance of the DOJ security standards and unable to operate that essential system. That'll, essentially put us dead in the water.”
Staff said the department identified essential in‑house computers that must be replaced immediately. The total replacement cost for all necessary units was about $21,333; the department already budgeted $10,000, so the supplemental request covered the remaining amount. Mobile data terminals (MDTs) used in patrol vehicles were not included at this time because of the tight timeline; staff estimated MDT costs at roughly $3,000–$3,500 each and said they would return with precise quotes when officers return from training and vehicle assignments are confirmed.
During public comment and council discussion members expressed urgency about avoiding loss of CLETS access and about wider staffing and overtime pressures in the department. Earlier in the meeting the president of the Fortuna Police Employees Association, Justin Primafore, had provided overtime totals and told the council officers had logged roughly 2,136.75 hours of overtime over a 10‑week span; the chief and council members described mandatory overtime and recruitment as ongoing challenges.
The council approved the supplemental appropriation by roll call (Connolly, Diaz, Stevens, Trent and Mayor Mark Johnson all voted yes). The chief said the department will continue to seek longer‑term funding to replace remaining computers and vehicle terminals through next year’s budget or other measures.
