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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - Agricultural Commissioner Doni Rulofson
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) TRANSFER OF FUNDS - AG COMMISSIONER, B-53 - From Fund Balance Available (101-301900) to Contingency (1109-59000), $22,176; and From Contingency (1109-59000) to Computers (2061-57603), $22,176 (Requires 4/5’s vote)
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Financial Impact:
Funds for this request are currently held in Account 301355 - Assigned Departments. Agriculture’s portion of that account is from prior year revenue.
Background Information:
Tehama County's Agriculture, Air, and Animal Services departments have long benefited from shared network infrastructure, including server, network and backup services. This collaborative approach has facilitated streamlined operations, cost savings, and efficient use of technology resources. However, the current state of the infrastructure poses significant risks to the continuity, security, and efficiency of operations across these departments.
The server hardware, central to the departments' IT operations, is now obsolete, with expired warranties and no options for extension. This obsolescence extends to the operating system used by the Agriculture department, which is no longer supported by Microsoft, posing a severe security vulnerability. Additionally, the internet firewall security services have expired, further exacerbating the risk to departmental data and the integrity of the network.
The network's hardware components, including switches and some wireless access points, are unsupported by manufacturers, leaving them without critical updates or the possibility of repair in the event of failure. This situation compromises network performance and reliability. Furthermore, the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system, crucial for maintaining operations during power outages, requires battery replacement. Notably, the current internet services equipment is unprotected by UPS, risking significant downtime during power interruptions.
The cumulative risks associated with the outdated and unsupported technological infrastructure necessitate immediate action to upgrade Tehama County's Agriculture, Air, and Animal Services departments' IT equipment and services. The proposed upgrades represent a critical investment in the departments' operational integrity, security, and ability to provide uninterrupted, efficient services to the public. The costs associated with these upgrades are justified by the significant benefits, including enhanced security, improved operational efficiency, and reduced risk of data loss or service interruption.