Elkhart Board OKs $1.01 million network upgrade contract with Cisco

The Elkhart Board of Public Works voted to approve a three‑year contract with Cisco Systems Capital Corporation totaling $1,006,641.33 to replace a majority of the city’s network infrastructure.

The agreement, approved June 3, 2025, was presented by James Sheryl, the city’s I.T. director, who said the project will replace end‑of‑life equipment to “maintain usability and cybersecurity needs” and add support for newer wireless standards including Wi‑Fi 7.

The board’s action authorizes the contract to be paid over three years. Sheryl told the board the new equipment will provide faster speeds, greater reliability and resiliency and an expected useful life of about 10 years. “This is very new technology and isn’t in the middle of a life cycle as we’ve done in previous years,” he said.

Board members noted the purchase was made under an Indiana state QPA contract, allowing the city to forgo a separate competitive bidding process. The chair recorded the motion, a second and a unanimous voice vote in favor; the motion passed.

City staff said the upgrade will enable broader wireless coverage and allow the city to “capitalize on a lot of new technologies,” including improved penetration through walls and additional radio bands. No implementation timeline beyond the general equipment life estimate was provided at the meeting.

The contract approval was the final action on the item at the June 3 session; the board did not identify additional conditions or follow‑up steps during the meeting.