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Dodge County IT reports device replacements, phone eSIM timeline and Clearview project progress
Summary
IT staff reported a small $4,000 carryover request to finish a UPS replacement, outlined plans to replace about 130 computers this year, flagged a six‑month timeline to upgrade ~100 phones to eSIMs, described Wi‑Fi fixes tied to an old concrete network room, and said Clearview’s next phase is expected to go live in June.
At the meeting, a county staff member gave several operational IT updates affecting end users and county infrastructure.
On capital projects, the staff member said the original capital improvement budget line for the UPS replacement was $75,000, the total project spent to date was just under $20,000 and the county is seeking a $4,000 carryforward from the 2025 budget to cover remaining labor and a rack. "So 4,000 is what we're looking at," the staff member said; the item was presented for awareness and participants raised no objections.
Staff reported nothing moved off the cyber contract list since the last meeting and named Justin Tenpass, Systems Analyst, as a key daily contact working with the sheriff’s office on IT needs. The staff member said filling vacant positions has helped response times and that Justin and IT leadership touch base daily.
Device lifecycle work: staff estimated roughly 130 computers will be swapped out this year, primarily for the sheriff’s office and other locations with shared devices. A board member suggested using a summer intern to help unbox and stage equipment; staff noted past internship programs (LRP and Community Development) had supplied short‑term help for similar tasks.
Mobile devices: staff said carrier consolidation (T‑Mobile’s acquisition of U.S. Cellular) means the county will need to transition about 100 older phones to eSIMs within roughly six months. "That's a lot in that amount of time for us because the phones are free... but it's the coordinating with all the staff members and the time to activate," the staff member said, describing the labor involved in scheduling activations even when devices are inexpensive.
Connectivity: staff described adding access points in courthouse areas and, on a facilities tour, discovering a large concrete room next to a main network closet that had been blocking Wi‑Fi propagation. Moving access points and adjusting roaming settings improved coverage for public tablets and phones.
Clearview project: staff said Clearview met an earlier deadline for its first household openings and that the next phase is scheduled to be live in June; equipment moves associated with construction will conclude before open occupancy resumes.
Governance and scheduling: there was no public comment. Members discussed consolidating IT reporting into another committee (executive or finance) due to infrequent agenda items; staff noted several recent meeting cancellations for lack of business. No formal committee reorganization was decided at the meeting.
The meeting recorded a procedural motion to approve the December 23 minutes, which was moved and seconded and met with an affirmative 'Aye.'
