City moves forward with $133,000 IT strategic‑plan contract

The Committee of the Whole on May 5 authorized the mayor to execute a consultant services agreement with ePlus Technology Inc. to develop the city’s first comprehensive IT strategic plan. James Undicott, the city’s IT director, told council the project is expected to last about eight months and not exceed roughly $133,000.

The plan will include a six‑year IT roadmap, recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience, and guidance on emerging technologies, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Undicott said an outside vendor will review the city’s current environment objectively, identify duplicated efforts and help prioritize deliberate investments.

Council members asked whether the city had issued a formal request‑for‑proposals. Undicott said the city did not pursue an RFP because the proposed vendor already performs substantial infrastructure work for the city and is familiar with the existing systems, which he said reduced cost and accelerated the schedule. "They do work with other jurisdictions," he added, noting the firm participates in cooperative purchasing vehicles and that some work will be delivered remotely and some on site.

Undicott told the council staff expects to present the consultant’s final report at a planned council workshop in September and to provide progress reports about every six months after that. "We want this to be a comprehensive plan," he said. "They’re going to deliver this to us, and it is upon us to develop and implement it."

Council approved the motion by voice vote. The agreement will be finalized with terms acceptable to the IT director and the city attorney before the mayor signs it.

Next steps: finalize contract language, begin consultant work and present the draft strategic plan to council in September.