Board hears updates on Digital Marin broadband and multi‑department criminal justice system upgrades

County staff updated the Marin County Board of Supervisors on several major technology projects during the workshop, including a last‑mile broadband grant for West Marin and multi‑department enterprise system replacements.

Josh (budget staff) said the county received an $11,000,000 last‑mile grant to provide high‑speed internet in West Marin and that permitting is underway with construction expected to begin in June. He also said the board has set aside approximately $15,000,000 to review and potentially replace legacy property‑tax collection software and that staff will return with RFP recommendations and a cost/benefit assessment.

Chief Marlon Washington told the board that legacy criminal justice systems for the sheriff, courts, district attorney, public defender and probation require phased replacements to interface with a new court system; he said the board has set aside $9,500,000 for the effort and emphasized a phased, department‑by‑department implementation to reduce delivery risk and improve accountability.

Why it matters: These are large, multi‑year technology investments that affect county operations, data interfaces with courts and public safety partners, and broadband access for underserved West Marin communities. Supervisors pressed staff for visibility into timelines, middleware options and contingency planning for simultaneous projects.

Next steps: Staff said they are conducting business needs reviews, will bring more details to the board during the budget cycle, and will return with options on middleware, phased implementation schedules and vendor procurement.