Commission forms Technology Advisory Board and adopts cybersecurity standards

The Town Commission voted unanimously to create a volunteer Technology Advisory Board and later adopted a separate resolution establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for municipal systems.

Town Attorney Ryan Knight presented a resolution that removed a prior requirement for the commission to nominate a specific member to the new Technology Advisory Board; instead the resolution establishes a volunteer application process with two-year terms to align with the town’s other advisory boards. Commissioners approved the change 5–0 and directed staff to publish the board application and recruitment materials, including how interested applicants can indicate they want to serve on the Technology Advisory Board.

Later in the meeting commissioners adopted a separate, state-guided cybersecurity resolution (Resolution 2025-59) intended to bring the town into compliance with Florida’s cybersecurity guidance for municipalities. The resolution asks the town manager to oversee implementation of basic safeguards including governance, inventory of systems, training and incident response planning. Commissioners emphasized the urgency of the work: town staff said the town already carries cybersecurity insurance and has begun deploying enhanced email protection and related security tools; the commission asked staff to return to the next meeting with an implementation timeline and estimated costs for completing the resolution’s items.

The mayor and several public commenters encouraged the creation of the advisory board to help the town with technology and cybersecurity planning. Commissioner Robert Baldwin and others said the new board could help vet technical proposals and serve as a resource for staff on digital systems.

The commission instructed the town manager to prepare an implementation plan that lists tasks, timelines and responsibility assignments and to return to the commission with a proposed schedule and any budget impacts.