Information Technology Department Unveils Plans to Expand Free Public Wi-Fi to 18 Parks During budget Presentation

The Department of Information Technology presented its spending plan for fiscal year 2023 before the Economic Development and Technology Committee on Tuesday, May 16.

Acting Chief Information Officer Asim Mohammed said the total budget for the department is $21.624 million. This is an increase of 1.2% from the $21.360 million in the current fiscal year.

Of the total budget, $12.896 million is allocated for personnel costs, $5.792 million will go to the department’s services and supplies and $1.199 million will go to internal service charges. $435,000 is allocated to operating transfer out and $1.302 million will go to operating expenses.

The Department of Information Technology, responsible for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the city’s information technology services and support, provides customer-driven services citywide in areas utilizing networks, desktops, application development, radios and telephones, and related programs.

Its primary source of revenue is the annual fixed fees it charges all the departments that it supports. Other revenue comes from leasing of City-owned fiber to local businesses and institutions.

In FY 2022, the department was able to develop a number of online systems for the community to get assistance and information about the COVID-19 pandemic and the city’s vaccination efforts.

Also among the accomplishments of the department in FY 2022 is the creation of the new Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System (CAD/RMS) for the Police department. The new system is expected to go live on June 1.

Mohammed reported that during FY 2022, the department was also able to provide support to the online video conference meetings for the City Council and other public meetings.

It also successfully obtained a grant for the expansion of free public Wi-Fi to 18 parks and park facilities.

“We will be expanding that public wifi to 18 parks this coming year,” said Mohammed.

He said the department will also prioritize, among other programs and projects, the upgrade of the City Council chamber’s meeting technology and would replace the aging telephone system at city facilities in FY 2023.

Aside from expanding the public Wi-Fi, the department will also explore in FY 2023 opportunities for wireless, broadband and fiber expansion, according to Mohammed.