Commissioners advance county’s IT service

The Churchill County Commissioners approved to enter into a contract with IQ Technology of Reno at their Wednesday meeting.

County Manager Eleanor Lockwood said information technology support is needed for the county administrative offices and most county satellite offices. She said the scope of the work included network maintenance, onsite reactive support, proactive maintenance, remote access, back-up archiving, networking IT management, planning and budgeting and training of county employees.

“The contractor will conduct quarterly IT review meetings with the count to address higher level management items including support trends, hardware, software, networking, IT strategy, etc.,” she said. “The contractor will also work with the county to create a high level IT strategy to identify and budget for upcoming technology related items and guidance regarding licensing and software.”

Proposals from seven companies had been submitted to the county, Lockwood said. A panel was formed to review and weight the proposals. She said the companies were ranked on their approach and methodology; experience of the company; project staffing and reputation, including satisfaction and clients/end users; responsiveness of the written proposal to the purpose and scope of work; and pricing.

The top three companies were invited to interviews and were allowed to give presentations.

After the interview the panel decided on IQ Technology fit the needs of the county.

“It was a hard decision and IQ and Oasis Online were close to each other in the ranking process but the panel felt IQ can meet the needs of the county better,” she said.

Commissioners Carl Erquiaga said he respects the decision brought forth by the panel but is concerned with the company being in Reno. Lockwood reassured him, though, that IQ would have a person dedicated to Fallon and overseeing the systems here.

Commissioners Bus Scharmann said it is a hard decision to make when the panel recommends the company but promoting local businesses come into play. He made a motion to award the contract with Oasis Online.

“I say this because of my past experience with Oasis, it was always great and things were handled in a professional manner,” he said.

After hearing Scharmann’s comment Erquiaga agreed that he would rather go with a local provided if possible.

After hearing the commissioners suggestion Julie Guerrero, executive secretary for the Churchill County Manager, who also sat on the panel said she believed Oasis did a great job during the interview but believed IQ is a better fit for what the county was looking for and was more aware of the importance of security, training, and helping to build the county services.

“IQ had more assets,” she said. “The company has been in business for 22 years, the employees are continually taking training classes and being educated on the new systems and best products, they have a larger job market and will assist the county in writing policies and procedures. Churchill County is behind and we need a company that can help get us current and IQ is more qualified to do that.”

Other items the commissioners approved include the following:

Approved funding for the Fallon Lions Club Junior Rodeo for $1,000 for fiscal year 2016 to be used for sponsorship of awards which comes with a full-page ad in the FLCJR program, fence sign, recognition of the county’s sponsorship during the rodeo and a presentation to the board within four months following.

Approved support of proposed incentives and send a letter to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development stating Churchill County’s support of New Millenium’s incentive request.

Approved proposal from Mark Warren, MAI to perform a summary appraisal report on property under the ownership of Alegre; Kohloss Properties, LLC; Facha; and Pomeroy for the purpose of assisting the county in evaluating the potential for a conservation easement.

Approved proposal from Johnson-Perkins-Griffin Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants to perform a summary appraisal report on property under the ownership of Corkill Brothers, Inc.; Silver Creek Farm, LLC; Washburn; Davis for the purpose of assisting the county in evaluating the potential for a conservation easement.

Approved the hiring of a part-time, regular employee on a temporary basis, to provide support to the Human Recourses, the Building Department and the County Manager’s office.