Committee approves IT upgrades to improve boardroom audio, pays for phone-system overtime

Warren County's personnel committee approved July 31 several information-technology budget moves to address continuing audio and equipment problems in the boardroom and elsewhere. Members voted to transfer a small sum from supplies to overtime to cover unexpected overtime for troubleshooting a phone-system upgrade; the committee was told the vendor has been responsive and work is ongoing. The panel also approved appropriations from the computer reserve for departmental PC upgrades and new boardroom microphones designed to improve pickup range and reduce dependence on table microphones that also capture side conversations. Staff said the current microphones required speakers to be very near the device and that the new equipment will allow clearer pickup up to about a foot away. Committee members asked about costs. Staff said an initial order of four microphones was placed, each costing a few hundred dollars, and the upgrades include a new laptop to replace an outdated machine that contributed to choppy audio during prior meetings. The motion passed by voice vote. Staff filling in for the director of information technology, Jeremy, summarized that upgrades include PC replacements, laptop replacement for the boardroom, and microphones with a larger pickup range; Jeremy also described a phone-system troubleshooting overtime charge of approximately $175. Committee members asked the IT staff to track the outcomes and report back if further hardware or vendor work is needed. The committee also discussed shared-services opportunities later in the meeting, with supervisors asking whether IT services and the county's forthcoming automation work could be offered to towns and villages; staff said some municipalities already participate in IT shared-services agreements and suggested broader offerings could be explored in the fall.