Municipality Technology Planning Discussed at Cook County Board Committee Meeting

Cook County Board Committee Meetings
November 3, 2021

Technology and Innovation Committee:

• A presentation and request by Illinois Smart City & Region Association (ISCRA) to ask commissioners to contact mayors in their districts to join ISCRA for better coordination and education on the various technologies available to them.  ISCRA found that 70% of Cook County municipalities do not have a technology plan and are often prevented by lack of knowledge and fear of taking on a new product.  This would be a tool for vendors to educate municipal leaders on technology uses, possible problems, etc. without the pressure of a sales commitment.   Possible uses mentioned were dealing with infrastructure monies coming from federal government and monitoring cameras on highways without adding personnel.  Approved to go to the full Board.
• The Major IT Projects Review covered an update on the Integrated Property Tax System which encompasses the Assessor, Board of Review, Treasurer, and Clerk offices.  A presentation by the vendor contracted, Tyler Technologies, and the Bureau of Technology was given covering background of the contract, payment, Tyler delays, contract amendments.  This project originated in 2015, has had numerous delays and will again be delayed until the fall of 2023.  All expressed frustration with the delays but realized at this point that moving to a new vendor would cost more and not guarantee a better time frame.  There was still talk about needing to use the outdated, expensive mainframe because the Tyler systems weren't ready. There are very few employees who still know the COBAL system to program the mainframe. The contract has been changed to give more favorable terms for the County.  These include hold-back payments, more for the treasurer’s office, 3 years of cloud service, more resources, all at no additional cost.
• Commissioners were concerned about the delay this year in getting out tax bills, which costs local governments money due to interest payments they make on borrowed money.  The Board of Review is anticipating 290,000 “complaints” which will need to be addressed before tax bills can be sent out.  This is behind schedule already due to them not receiving the needed information and will make it unlikely that tax bills go out on time.  Approved to accept the report.

Rules and Administration Committee:

• CFO Rizzi gave an overview of the General Obligation Refunding Bonds ordinance proposal.  This would refinance $275,000,000 worth of bonds at a lower interest rate for the same time period as initially contracted.  This proposal is expected to save the county about $40,000,000 over the next 7 years.  Comm. S. Morrison commented that this is the type of good government practice that the county does well.  Approved to go to the full Board.

​Observer - Karin Hribar