The IT Department was budgeted $301,143 in the 2018/2019 budget. The new 2019/2020 proposed budget sees that skyrocket 24% to $374,346!! By all means, reward the department that just fell victim to a massive cyber attack…that’s how it works in government.
[For reference, the IT budget was $213,336 back in the 2014/2015 budget – a mere 5 years ago….a total increase of 75% (or 15% per YEAR)]
It appears all my screaming has fallen on deaf ears. What is driving this year’s massive increase in spending? Thankfully not salaries and benefits. Those are barely budging. Small victories.
No, that massive $73,000 increase shows up in two spots:
“Supplies” [line item 5200] is increasing from $63,751 to a whopping $116,758!! A massive $53,000 (83%) increase. I can’t wait to see what THAT gigantic expenditure is….could they already be budgeting in a large ransom payment for the recent cyber attack debacle??
“Maintenance” [line item 5400] is nearly TRIPLING from $12,675 to $37,904. A $26,000 (200%) increase. Another one I can’t wait to see details on….maybe this is payment to the REAL computer experts who had to come in and clean up the mess after the recent successful cyber attacks?? God only knows.
Spending by year in the IT Department (nearly $1.9 million total!)
- 2019: $374,346 (proposed)
- 2018: $317,143
- 2017: $285,727
- 2016: $277,267
- 2015: $263,754
- 2014: $213,366
- 2013: $179,600
Where has this nearly TWO MILLION DOLLARS gone over the last seven years? Clearly not towards any kind of security infrastructure or up-to-date security training for our two IT ‘experts’.