Dearborn Heights approves BSNA cloud transition and budget amendments totaling up to $348,390

The Dearborn Heights City Council approved a software-and-services agreement to migrate the city’s BSNA (municipal management) systems to the vendor’s cloud platform and authorized related budget amendments on July 8.

The motion authorizes the mayor and clerk to sign a contract with BSNA for conversion services and implementation, with total up-front and first-year costs not to exceed $348,390 and recurring annual costs (implementation noted in discussion at roughly $175,000 per year) thereafter. The comptroller was authorized to execute the required budget amendments and the treasurer to issue payments from the stated IT services account.

Council discussion focused on the cost, the long-term recurring annual expense, and which department budgets would be adjusted to cover the conversion. Supporters said the cloud platform will allow faster updates, fewer local server maintenance tasks, and new functionality across departments (assessor, licensing, revenue collection, permits). Skeptical members pressed the administration to avoid using line items that might reduce funds available for hiring or core services and sought assurances about training and a phased implementation plan.

The motion passed by voice vote after discussion. Council members asked staff to return with implementation timing and training plans for departments that rely on the system.