Posted: 9/11/07
Houston County to upgrade Internet service at court house
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
In an effort to improve the communication process between Houston County departments and the outside world, the Houston County Board approved a motion to change the countyís email program at a cost of $10,444. The action was taken during the Sept. 4 county board meeting when County Personnel Director Tim Comstock brought the proposal to the board.
"With the problems we are having in attempting to upgrade our Lotus Notes Email, it was determined that it would be more beneficial to county users to move to the Microsoft Exchange platform using Microsoflt Outlook as the client software," Comstock explained. "This program would integrate with the office products we are currently using and would make many tasks including mail merges and shared calendars much easier for our users."
Comstock noted the cost of the new software is not a budgeted expenditure, but the majority of it would be covered by under-spending in ITís computer maintenance and computer supplies line items with the balance being taken from the technical equipment funds, which has as balance of $69,105.
"It should also be noted that $3,040 of this price quote would be needed to be paid regardless of whether we moved to the Exchange Platform to keep us in compliance with Microsoft Licensing," Comtock added.
When asked if the switch from one program to another would cause any down time or service interruptions, Comstock responded the changeover "would be seamless. We would continue to use Lotus and work in the new program. All of the email addresses would remain the same."
In other action
Emergency contract approved
The board approved an "emergency contract" with Minowa Construction to repair damage to the CSAH 26 bridge the spans Campbell Creek in Money Creek Township. Two of the large piers that hold up the bridge were damaged during the August flash floods and must be replace. Normally, a project of this size must be advertised for bids. But due to the urgency to have the bridge repaired and put back into service, the board is allowed to award an emergency contract.
"We have so many bridges to inspect and repair. This is going to be an on-going issue for a long time," County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans told the board.
"People need to know that there is still a lot of damage out there," Commissioner Dave Corcoran cautioned. "They figure the floods were three weeks ago. The water is down, everything is fine. But it isnít. We have many places were the floodwaters have undermined roads and bridges. People need to be careful and observe the warning markers still out there."
Permit fees will be waived
Houston County residents will not be charged permit fees for building applications when repairing or replacing property damaged due to the floods. All inspections will still need to be conducted, but property owners wonít be charged for them. All current zoning ordinances will remain in effect for all residents.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com