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7 <br /> • Information Technology Priorities <br /> Shannon Tufts reviewed the Commissioners' IT project requests, followed by a <br /> quick overview of key departmental requests. <br /> The Commissioners assigned priority rankings to the list of all Commissioner IT <br /> project requests. The following priorities, in order of votes, were discussed as <br /> noted. <br /> 1. Improved Internet access (including Broadband) and cellular <br /> coverage (6 first-place votes) <br /> The Commissioners emphasized lack of coverage in rural areas of <br /> Orange County. Shannon Tufts and County staff discussed current laws <br /> that prevent County money paying for infrastructure; it was noted that <br /> Time Warner Cable would likely sue the County if it violated the law. <br /> Other strategies for encouraging private sector build-out were discussed <br /> and will be included in the Orange County Strategic IT Plan. <br /> As a corollary related to the need for expanded cellular coverage, the <br /> Board and Shannon Tufts discussed issues with the VIPER system. The <br /> County is exploring the possibility of locating towers across the county to <br /> expand VIPER coverage and capacity. Shannon Tufts noted that the <br /> issues related to the VIPER system are threefold: capacity (with the <br /> number of channels), coverage, and penetration. Building towers and <br /> upgrading the VIPER equipment will improve capacity and coverage, but <br /> will not address penetration. One way to deal with the in-building <br /> penetration issue is to pass an ordinance requiring buildings of specific <br /> construction or size to install repeaters or amplifiers in order to ensure <br /> internal cellular and radio coverage. <br /> 2. Strategy for staff communication with Commissioners in <br /> emergencies (4 first-place votes) <br /> The Commissioners expressed a need to have a fail-safe method in place <br /> for staff to communicate with the Board Chair and Vice Chair during <br /> emergencies. Staff noted that these procedures were included in the <br /> County's emergency operations plan, but it is currently being updated. <br /> They thought issues such as contacting Commissioners through cell <br /> phones, land lines, and Sheriff's deputies were already in place through <br /> the CODE RED system but may not have been adequately <br /> communicated to the Commissioners. Statutorily, the Board Chair must <br /> be notified in emergencies. <br /> Shannon Tufts noted that this underlying discussion, however, was <br /> outside the scope of the strategic IT plan since it dealt with internal <br /> business processes currently being updated. <br /> 3. One Stop Planning/Inspections/Permitting & Integrated Planning <br /> Software (3 first-place votes) <br /> Shannon Tufts noted the current system is not sustainable; funding is <br /> needed to procure a new, integrated system due to the single point of <br />