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Council advances temporary IT contracts, seeks long-term options after vendor presentations
Summary
After presentations from local managed‑service providers, the council authorized advertising for an information systems administrator, approved a temporary agreement with Todd Ojala, and approved a short-term vCISO contract with Minnesota Security Consortium.
International Falls city leaders on Monday moved several steps to keep city information systems running after the recent resignation of the city’s information systems administrator and heard pitches from local managed‑service providers.
Three private vendors and a city IT employee addressed the council during the open forum: Austin Schaff of 3s Design LLC, Ted Saxton of Small Town Tech, and a representative from ESX Technology Solutions. Each described managed IT services, cybersecurity and options for the city either to hire an employee, contract for managed services or use a hybrid model with an on‑site technician backed by a remote team.
Acting on those discussions, the council unanimously approved a package of short‑term and procedural steps. The council approved advertising for a replacement information systems administrator (open to internal and external candidates/RFPs), authorized a temporary agreement with Todd Ojala to provide IT services while the search continues, and approved a Minnesota Security Consortium professional services agreement to provide virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) services from Oct. 21, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
City staff and councilors said those measures will help the police department meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension audit requirements and reduce immediate cybersecurity risk while the council determines a longer‑term staffing model. City staff said the vCISO services were already assisting with a recent BCA audit and that the consultant had direct experience managing similar audits.
Several councilors also directed that the Committee of the Whole consider whether to recruit a full‑time employee, issue an RFP for managed‑service providers, or pursue a hybrid approach. Presenters urged the city to involve the current IT employee in any transition to ensure continuity.
The council’s votes were unanimous on the advertising and short‑term contracts. Councilors said the Committee of the Whole will review proposals and the advertised position before making a final staffing decision.
