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Council moves to replace network switches and firewall to address cybersecurity and capacity
Summary
Council debated two IT options — partial switch replacement now or a full firewall and switch upgrade next year — and voted to accept a fuller replacement to address capacity from added cameras and body/dash cameras and to avoid security risks ahead of next summer.
Bart councilors discussed an information-technology upgrade after staff reported the city's network switch is at capacity following the addition of cameras and police body and dash cameras. Staff described two options: immediate replacement of network switches to restore port capacity, or a broader purchase that would include a new firewall and switches to address longer-term needs.
Mayor Dennis Stevens said a full replacement would be more of a one‑time fix, while a phased approach (switches now, firewall later) would split costs across years. The transcript records estimates that the larger option would cost roughly $1,600 in total vs. smaller $700–$800 incremental costs for a split approach; the mayor recommended the full replacement to avoid cybersecurity exposure with an end-of-life firewall by July next year.
Council expressed willingness to find the additional roughly $700 needed under the phased approach, but the mayor moved to accept the full firewall replacement (option two) and the motion was seconded; the council then called the vote. Clerk Stacy and staff noted the project was not budgeted and that funds would require internal reallocation if approved.
Officials said the immediate need is to replace switches now to avoid service disruption, but the full firewall replacement would provide growth capacity and reduce hacking susceptibility. Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement consistent with the council's motion and identify funding sources within the city budget.
