Monroe County commissioners table $25,000 GIS services contract after staff and users seek more review

Monroe County commissioners on Nov. 5 voted to table consideration of a $25,000 professional-services proposal from Michael Baker International for GIS services after public commenters and county staff asked for a stakeholder meeting to review the contract.

The item, listed as Information Technology agenda item No. 8, was described by an IT staff member as a “cafeteria-style” contract that would let the county draw on professional services as needed for an ArcGIS Pro upgrade, server installation and training. Miss Storman, speaking during public comment, asked the board to “respectfully request the commissioners table to vote on the contract of Michael Baker International for $25,000 until all members of the committee have had an opportunity to review the contract and determine how it relates to each individual user and determine if it is actually necessary to pay for these services,” reflecting concerns raised by GIS users.

Why it matters: county staff said the upgrade affects multiple departments and the 9-1-1 center and requires data conversion and new servers. An IT staff member said the county is several versions behind and needs the professional services to build a new server environment, convert data and set roles and responsibilities so users across departments can access and use the system.

Commissioner David (first name as recorded) urged a meeting of stakeholders to resolve questions, noting that the county could schedule discussions within two weeks and that some budgeted funds exist for professional services this year. Deb, a county employee representing system users, told the commissioners she was not opposing the upgrade but requested a meeting “to discuss all of these things” so that vendors, existing account managers and county users could be in the same room to clarify scope and impacts.

County staff clarified details of the contract and timeline: the proposal covers the period Nov. 5, 2025, through Nov. 4, 2026; it is structured so unused funds are not spent (staff described the funds as credited back if not used); and staff said they hoped to reach version 11 of the software within roughly six months following required conversion and server work. IT staff said the 9-1-1 center currently cannot use some county data until the intermediate upgrades are completed.

After discussion the board voted to table the proposal to allow a meeting of all stakeholders and further review; the motion to table carried (vote tally not specified in the public record).

Next steps: commissioners instructed staff to convene the GIS governance committee, include Esri account representatives and Michael Baker staff for a planning discussion, and bring the item back to the board after stakeholders have met.