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Houghton County weighs in-house IT amid $350,000 VC3 proposal
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Summary
Commissioners discussed moving to an in-house IT model after a $350,000 VC3 proposal that would include Alex Radke as in-house IT; the board and staff debated staffing levels, vendor options and an RFP for security services.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners discussed shifting toward an in-house information-technology operation on Feb. 2, 2026, after hearing that VC3 quoted $350,000 for a contract that would designate Alex Radke as the county's in-house IT staff member.
Why it matters: County officials and staff said current arrangements with VC3 and Superior Tech Wizards leave gaps in day-to-day support and updates. Commissioners and department staff pressed for enough staff capacity to support county systems, continuity and local control of security.
During the work session Chairman Tom Tikkanen described the current vendor landscape and said the county is reviewing the VC3 contract. Commissioner Roy Britz said staff had communicated a need for more in-house IT capacity. "Alex is a solid choice," Britz said, endorsing Radke's role while arguing the county is too large for a single IT person.
Building Department official Todd LaRoux backed that view, saying Radke had been "very knowledgeable with the generator" and recommending two full-time in-house IT positions. The conversation noted that the board had approved hiring two people to support IT.
Faith Morrison and others raised alternatives and vendor options; Tikkanen said REMC had expressed interest but lacked capacity to provide in-house services. Tikkanen also indicated the county will pursue an RFP for security work and that firms such as Karhu, UP & Running and VC3 would be invited to respond.
Next steps: Tikkanen asked Radke to work on contract language and the board said it would update the VC3 contract at a minimum. No final contract vote was recorded at the session.