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County hears acute gaps in CAD/IT support, approves a small committee to study CAD and radio upgrades
Summary
Presenters told commissioners county IT is providing heavy CAD/RMS support to other towns and warned of staff burnout; commissioners asked staff to assemble a limited technical committee (six members) to study options for a CAD administrator, radio tower upgrades, and grant opportunities.
A county presenter outlined regional reliance on Franklin County’s CAD/RMS services and said county IT staff performed roughly 49 CAD‑related support tasks for other towns this month, stretching two county IT staff thin. The presenter recommended a committee to study options: whether to resource a full‑time CAD administrator, pursue cost‑sharing with participating towns, or target grants for technology and radio communications upgrades.
Commissioners discussed grant timing, noting that some federal technology/grant windows are short (60–90 days), and urged a quick but representative committee that includes law enforcement, fire, dispatch, EMA and an independent chair. A motion limited the committee to six members; staff was tasked to provide candidate names to the commission for approval. Commissioners noted the radio/tower work is a separate seven‑figure grant opportunity requiring rapid coordination to submit an application that would fund multiple tower upgrades and equipment compatibility work.
Why it matters: The county’s CAD/RMS and radio infrastructure underpin public safety, fire and emergency coordination. Staff warned current reliance on a very small IT staff risks service outages and employee burnout.
Next steps: Staff will supply a slate of six proposed members and draft committee charge and timeline for commissioner approval; if approved, the committee will prepare a grant application and technical scope for tower and radio upgrades.
