Culpeper supervisors approve up to $2.9M for IT remediation, push staff to refine ERP timeline
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Summary
After a June infrastructure failure, the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors approved a not-to-exceed $2.9 million authorization for comprehensive network remediation and directed staff to return with a narrowed timeline and vendor options for an ERP/HRIS procurement.
The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 approved a not-to-exceed $2,900,000 authorization to complete a comprehensive remediation of the county's network and related licensing, and asked staff to refine timelines and vendor alternatives for a separate ERP and HRIS procurement.
County technology contractor Jesse Martin told the board the remediation is the full "signed, sealed, delivered, totally operational" fix after a June 2025 incident and that the board has two licensing horizons: three years or a five-year option that increases upfront cost but improves long-term stability. "The network and hardware that we're putting in place has a lifespan that will exceed either of those options," Martin said.
County Administrator McLaren recommended using fund balance or the general fund for the expense; the board approved the five-year licensing recommendation with a roll-call vote recorded as unanimous. "That is the 5 year licensing for comprehensive technology infrastructure remediation," Supervisor Lee moved; the motion carried.
Board members then discussed a related request to pursue a request-for-proposal for a unified enterprise resource planning (ERP) and human resource information system (HRIS) to modernize payroll and finance functions. Martin said typical government implementations can run 18 months but the county is seeking accelerated schedules and added that cooperative purchasing agreements could shorten procurement timelines.
Supervisors asked staff to return with a refined timeline and two or three viable alternatives, noting implementation complexity and the need to involve end users such as the treasurer and commissioner of revenue. "It is important that we provide modern systems that offer payroll flexibility for employees," a supervisor said.
The authorization for remediation authorizes contracts and subsequent board approval of contract documents, McLaren said. Staff said future budget impacts and contract approvals will return to the board.