Breitung plans IT upgrade with federal grant assist
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QUINNESEC -- Breitung Township plans to update its information technology with assistance from a federal grant.
The township board Monday accepted proposals from BS&A Software for a municipal software upgrade and Timber Ridge Tech Consultants for cybersecurity services at a total initial cost of about $220,000.
The contracts are contingent on coverage through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, a $1 billion program established by Congress in 2022. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the legislation requires states to distribute at least 80% of funds to local governments, with a minimum of 25% distributed to rural areas.
BS&A's bid $124,170 would allow the township to convert to a cloud-based municipal software system to replace its current on-premises system. Based in Bath, Michigan, BS&A is a specialized company that provides management systems exclusively for local governments and municipalities.
Timber Ridge Tech Consultants of Kingsford submitted a bid of $97,137 to function as the township's cybersecurity service provider. The goal is to address vulnerabilities and improve capabilities to respond to cybersecurity incidents and ensure continuity of operations.
In Michigan, the grant program is administered through the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
In other action, the township board:
-- Named Holli Hehn as the township's new assessor of record at Level 3 status, which is one level below the state's highest certification level. Hehn, previously a deputy assessor, replaces Justin Murawski, who last month accepted a position in Marquette County. Hehn thanked the board, adding the department strives to "provide the level of service our community deserves."
-- Heard Trustee Ben Peterson salute the efforts of firefighters and the township's Department of Public Works in their response to an Aug. 16 fire that gutted much of his family's Quinnesec Street home. "I was impressed with all of them," he said. A garage was saved along with a number of items, including keepsake photos.
-- Thanked Trustee Sharon Reuter and Administrative Assistant/Code Enforcement Clerk Julia Miller for representing the township in a presentation in Marquette to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board. The township is seeking $400,000 for East Kingsford Park improvements, including LED field lighting, playground equipment and other site upgrades. The board's recommendations to the state Legislature are due in December.
-- Approved an increase in the township's mileage reimbursement rate to 76 cents per mile. The action is based on a similar increase established by the Internal Revenue Service for business use of an automobile that took effect July 1. The previous rate was 72.5 cents per mile.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.