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Council hears security assurances as city prepares to pursue UBS utility-billing software purchase
Summary
City staff reported that the city's IT provider raised no security concerns with a proposed UBS utility-billing software purchase; the law director's office reviewed the vendor scope requiring mutual breach notification within 48 hours. Council held Resolution 26-02 for the Feb. 17 meeting.
City staff told the Newark City Council that the city's IT provider found no security problems with a proposed replacement utility-billing software referred to in Resolution 26-02, which would authorize the director of public service to enter a contract without competitive bidding.
A city staff speaker who reviewed the issue said Alphalink, the city's IT contractor, "have no problems or concerns with the security of the system," and that the law director's office had reviewed the SpryPoint scope of services for the contract. The scope, the speaker said, requires both the city and the vendor to notify the other within 48 hours in the event of a breach so they can cooperate to resolve the issue.
The measure remains scheduled for the council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Council did not vote on Resolution 26-02 tonight; members discussed the item during the reports segment and public-staff follow-up.
Why it matters: The resolution proposes a purchase without competitive bidding for software that would handle water, sewer and stormwater billing and customer records. Security, breach response and procurement transparency are key issues for residents whose account or personal information would be stored in the system.
What officials said: The city staff speaker summarized the IT review and the contract language that calls for mutual notification following any breach. The law director said her office had reviewed the contract language. The transcript records the staff comment: "They have no problems or concerns with the security of the system," and the contract requirement that both sides must notify the other of a breach within 48 hours.
Next steps: Councilmembers said they received the update and the item will be held for action at the Feb. 17 meeting, when the full resolution and any supporting materials will be before the council.
