The Finance Committee approved a six-week professional services agreement with Simple Communications to provide interim IT management consulting after recent departures in the county IT office.

Matt, the county finance director, told the committee the contract covers a six-week engagement at a cost of $12,000 and was requested because “the services are necessary due to recent events within the IT department starting with the resignation of a staff member that was effective on Friday last week, July 18, and the director on leave for the next 6 weeks,” leaving the department shorthanded. He said the salary and benefits for a vacant technician over the same six-week period would total $8,402 and that much of the contract cost “will be recouped depending upon the timing of the position being filled.”

Why it matters: The arrangement is intended to maintain IT operations and advance planned IT projects while a full-time staff member has resigned and another employee is on leave. The committee heard that two full-time IT employees remain, assisted by short-term interns, and that one intern will depart during the six-week period.

Committee discussion focused on timing, cost and continuity. Matt said the IT budget includes a $65,000 consulting-services line and that $32,225 has been spent to date, so funds exist within the department budget to cover the agreement. He also said the county’s state’s attorney reviewed the professional services contract and “has no changes and, basically looked it over and said it’s fine.”

Several committee members said they were comfortable with using an outside consultant who has previously worked for the county. Deb (committee member) told the group she had seen the consultant’s prior work and said, “I couldn’t recommend anybody any higher.” James Kaye (committee member) asked about public-notice timing, asking whether the contract posting met a 48-hour requirement; Matt said the contract had been posted on the agenda when it was published.

Committee members also sought details about how the consultant would work with in-house staff. Matt said the consultant will coordinate with the two remaining full-time employees and that the consultant’s schedule would “fluctuate based on need,” typically one day per week but adjustable depending on workload. The packet attachment lists a handful of deliverables including system status and troubleshooting support.

Action taken: Eric (committee member) moved to approve the professional services agreement with Simple Communications; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript indicates the contract had already begun before the committee vote; the committee approved it for transparency and budget oversight.

What was not decided: The committee did not discuss filling the vacant IT position in detail at this meeting, nor did members set a timeline in the meeting minutes for filling that role. Specific hourly rates and the consultant’s full contract text beyond the packet attachment were discussed but not renegotiated at the meeting.

Next steps: The county will proceed with the consultant’s engagement under the approved contract and continue budget and hiring discussions outside the committee meeting. The finance director said the county will track deliverables and financial impacts to the IT consulting line in the department budget.