LaSalle County IT and central services committee approves routine bills; hears Webex outage and data‑center renovation updates

LaSalle County’s IT and Central Services Committee on March 7 approved routine minutes, bills and departmental reports and heard updates on ongoing office renovations, a recent power outage and a lapse in Webex videoconferencing service that prompted a vendor change.

The committee — chaired by Katie Owens — voted to approve the previous month’s minutes, pay bills and accept department reports. Central services staff reported printing, postage and toner usage and savings for February, and IT staff summarized recent equipment repairs, ticket volumes and progress on several renovation projects.

The committee’s central services report, presented by Tracy (Central Services), listed monthly processing totals and expenses: 34,724 microfilm documents, 54,340 scanned images, 74,364 digital‑printer pages, monthly bills totaling $26,771.24 and reimbursements of $1,794.66. Tracy also reported postage totals for several county offices and said the office had $859.28 in total savings for the month. “We did receive the new scanner, so it is up and running,” Tracy said, noting the machine is in use.

IT staff (John) told the committee the ticket count had fallen to about 401 and said much work — moves and renovations — did not appear on the ticket report because staff prioritized completing projects. John described a recent power outage that cost the department one docking station (about $170) but did not cause broader equipment loss. He also said the intrusion report appeared normal and that he would circulate the information‑security report after the meeting.

Multiple facilities projects were discussed. John said the public defender’s office rewiring and cabling work was complete. Work at the sheriff’s office awaits flooring so staff can move back in; body‑camera chargers were being installed. At the county data center, John said a concrete slab and plinth were poured and that some server‑rack components ordered from Germany are delayed at a New Jersey port, moving the expected rack delivery from March 10 to around March 17. “We’re at the mercy of when it gets off the port and on a truck,” John said.

John described configuration steps once the racks arrive: new racks will be installed, old racks removed and remaining equipment relocated to a lower level while finish work is completed. He noted a tiling supplier shipped 4‑inch grommets where 6‑inch grommets were specified; installers will enlarge openings and fit correct grommets before running cables.

The committee also discussed an interruption in the county’s Webex service. John said the county’s Webex contract had moved among vendors over the last five years and that the most recent vendor, Totalcom, failed to provide timely renewal quotes. After repeated delays he engaged a different vendor, completed necessary paperwork with Cisco and restored service within days. “I do apologize for not communicating that out to board members,” John said, adding he will set a calendar reminder to avoid future lapses.

Committee members said the Webex interruption affected their ability to join a separate meeting; one member asked that staff notify Amanda (county staff) and members promptly if conferencing services fail so attendees can make alternate arrangements. John acknowledged the failure included a loss of phone‑in capability when the account reverted to a free Webex tier and said he will improve notices.

Motions on minutes, payments and reports were made and carried by voice votes. No executive session was requested; the committee adjourned after routine business.

The meeting began at 9 a.m. with Katie Owens calling the roll and ended after votes on bills and reports.