Whittier council adopts technology and fiber master plans, approves five‑year roadmap

The Whittier City Council unanimously adopted two master plans on Oct. 14: a citywide Technology Master Plan and a Fiber‑Optic Master Plan intended to guide technology investments, cybersecurity, applications modernization and broadband infrastructure over the next five years.

Tom Jacobson, a consultant with ClientFirst Technology Consulting, told the council the city’s IT infrastructure is generally in good condition but recommended additional documentation, expanded cybersecurity leadership and more business‑systems staffing so departments can use existing tools more effectively. "The IT infrastructure is in good shape," Jacobson said. "The single thing that would raise the city's cybersecurity score the most is additional documentation and policies."

Key consultant recommendations included hiring or contracting a virtual chief information security officer to keep pace with evolving threats, adding business‑systems analysts to support department workflows, using third‑party subject matter experts for complex implementations and prioritizing projects in a five‑year roadmap. The consultant presented a planning estimate of roughly $10.9 million spread over five years for the initiatives in the plan; staff said budgetary approvals will be addressed through the regular annual budget process.

Council members questioned how the plans position the city to use artificial intelligence and whether investments would support public‑safety systems such as SCADA upgrades, drones and a real‑time crime center. Consultants said the master plan prepares foundational items — data hygiene, policies and network resilience — that are prerequisites for AI and advanced analytics.

On the Fiber‑Optic Master Plan, staff described efforts to coordinate with a regional Council of Governments broadband deployment and to leverage grant and earmark opportunities. The plan maps strategic conduit and fiber placements to create a resilient backbone that can be used for traffic management, public‑safety applications, community Wi‑Fi and potential revenue opportunities through leasing capacity.

Council voted 5‑0 to adopt the master plans; staff said individual projects and recurring operating costs will be brought forward as specific budget requests in coming budget cycles.