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Reforms Necessary at Winnebago County, Ill., IT Department After $283K Error

In January, Microsoft Corporation reviewed how the county uses its software. It found that several departments were using software programs that the county hadn't purchased, and the county paid a $283,000 settlement as a result of the error.

(TNS) -- ROCKFORD — Winnebago County, Ill., Board members want the county Information Technology Department to adopt a long list of reforms following a $283,000 settlement with Microsoft for installing the company's software on its computers without paying for it.

The Operations and Administrative Committee met Tuesday to discuss proposals that the County Board will consider adopting on Thursday. The measures include seeking bids for IT services, reviewing the county's IT contracts with other nonprofit agencies and local governments, and examining whether it makes sense to continue paying for the contractual services of a chief information officer — a job now held by August Gentner.

In January, Microsoft Corporation reviewed how the county uses its software. It found that several departments were using software programs that the county hadn't purchased, and the county paid a $283,000 settlement as a result of the error. Gentner oversees the IT department and about a dozen county IT employees, though he is an independent contractor with the county. His contract includes a "hold harmless" clause that frees him of liability for any potential "special, incidental or consequential damages" related to his services.

Board members say their newfound focus on the IT Department is no reflection of Gentner's performance. They want to make sure costly mistakes don't happen again.

“We are simply trying to find ways to prevent and help the IT department in the future, so the board knows exactly what is going on,” said committee chairman Gary Jury, R-7. “We are fortunate to have (the IT department.)”

The department is working on some of the desired reforms already, said Gentner. He attended the meeting Tuesday and said he would have a first quarter compliance report to the board by the end of June.

The county guarantees Gentner at least 100 hours of work a month — about 25 hours a week — at $107.50 an hour. He is not to exceed 120 hours a month without county management approval. The county also pays him a $125 monthly communications allowance for items such as a cell phone and broadband access.

County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen said he wants to make the CIO position a county job in the 2017 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Soliciting quotes for IT services should help the county understand whether that idea makes sense.

“We’ve had a number of conversations about how much more affordable it would be if we had IT in-house,” said John Guevara, R-16. “What we don’t have is an actual comparison.”

©2016 Rockford Register Star, Ill. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.