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County considers computer upgrades

Marion County Commission learned Monday that updating computers and networking comes with a large price tag.

Lloyd Davies of Great Plains Computers and Networking, dropped a bombshell on the commission to the tune of $75,000 to update the courthouse computer system.

The courthouse currently uses an AS400, series P5, which was installed in 2002. With the additions of a new payroll system and imaging updates in other departments, the system can no longer accommodate the required uses.

Davies said storage is at 92 percent, even after additional storage space was added.

Another $8,000 to increase storage space might buy the county another year but eventually a new system with a larger storage capacity will be needed.

An upgrade would be a series P10. The licensing fee to change from a P5 to a P10 is $20,000, Davies said. Equipment is $46,000.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said there needs to be a line item in the county's budget for technology upgrades. County clerk Carol Maggard said there was a line item for maintenance but not capital improvements.

A lease-purchase agreement could be drawn to purchase the equipment from IBM until the treasurer's office turns over funds from the special vehicle fund.

Davies will determine if installation is included in the quoted price and report at Thursday's meeting.

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