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Committee approves $86,525 to buy 21 network devices to bring schools onto county network
Summary
Blount County’s Budget Committee recommended an $86,525.46 budget increase to buy 21 network devices (one per school) to replace ENA-owned equipment and move schools to county-managed network devices; committee approved the recommendation 4–0.
The Blount County Budget Committee on March 12 voted to forward to the full commission a budget increase of $86,525.46 to purchase 21 network devices—one for each school—to replace equipment currently owned and operated by ENA and bring those devices under county control.
Commissioner Hanum asked whether 21 devices would be sufficient or whether purchases would occur in batches. Justin, a county IT staff member, answered the committee’s questions, saying these are core switches—one per school—and that later purchases for lower-level switches may follow after an audit. "The 21 items or 21 devices is one for each school," Justin said, adding that the change will allow the county to manage the devices on its network.
Committee members approved the motion (mover: Miss Hanum; second: Commissioner Anderson) and the chair recorded four yes votes. The committee forwarded the resolution with a favorable recommendation to the commission workshop; no final procurement contract was awarded at the meeting.
The committee also discussed timing and whether devices might be obsolete by the time they are installed; IT staff said these are core switches and are not expected to be replaced immediately, and that further lower-level network purchases may come later after an audit.
