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County IT Director Flags Major Software Changes, AI Planning; Long‑time IT Staffer to Retire
Summary
Sullivan County IT director reported several major software transitions, an upcoming cybersecurity MOU, and staff changes; April Slagona, an IT employee of 32 years, will retire tomorrow, the director announced.
Sullivan County’s information‑technology director told the Management and Budget Committee the county is entering a period of rapid change driven by software vendor transitions, an expiring timekeeping system, and emerging AI considerations, and said several IT resolutions will be forwarded to the executive committee.
Lauren (ITS director) said the county faces multiple significant software changes this year: ImageMate Online (real‑property imaging) has been sold to a new vendor, Kronos (timekeeping) requires a replacement because it is no longer supported, and other vendor changes affect transportation and HR systems. Lauren said the department will present three related items at the next executive meeting: a software upgrade request, a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security to receive free cybersecurity software from a state initiative, and an extension of an existing resolution authorizing service orders for fiber connections.
Lauren also said artificial intelligence (AI) is a major topic for county IT planning. The county will participate in AI forums and coordinate with statewide IT associations to develop policy and staff roles. "AI becomes a particular…it's scary and it's exciting all at the same time," Lauren said, urging patience from county managers and department heads during technology transitions.
The director publicly recognized April Slagona, who has worked in county IT for 32 years and 24 years in the county’s IT unit; April plans to retire the following day, which Lauren called a "huge loss" and thanked her for long service.
Why it matters: vendor changes and unsupported systems require replacement planning and budgets; cybersecurity and AI raise policy and staffing questions that can affect many county services. The director said the department will bring three resolutions to the executive committee for formal action later in April.
Ending: the IT director said the department will present the three items to the executive committee and begin retooling staff roles to meet new software and cybersecurity demands.
