County tackles IT upgrades, approves new road grader
By David H. Waller
The Shackelford County Commissioners Court held its regular meeting on Monday, addressing several important topics, including IT system upgrades, internet improvements, and road equipment replacement.
Discussions on implementing a burn ban took place, but no action was taken, leaving no burn ban currently in effect.
Sam Goldsmith of Goldsmith Solutions provided an in-depth report on the county’s aging IT infrastructure, most of which was installed in 2012-2014. He outlined various improvements, starting with the transition of law enforcement telecommunications to AT&T’s FirstNet service, a government-focused wireless network. This change, which includes the cancellation of outdated AT&T fiber services, is expected to result in cost savings while improving service. Starlink will be added as a backup internet provider at the law enforcement center to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during outages. Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation, with a motion by Ace Reames and a second by Cody Jordan.
Goldsmith also presented a plan to improve internet access at the Shackelford County Library. The library has long struggled with slow speeds, and the proposed move to Starlink promises to bring significant improvements, with download speeds of 60+ Mbps compared to the current 14 Mbps. The upgrade will cost $1,350 for equipment and installation, with a monthly fee of $130, slightly higher than the $90 cost of the existing service. Commissioners approved the plan unanimously.
Further IT upgrades were discussed, including the replacement of outdated battery backup systems at the courthouse and law enforcement center, as well as the transition to Windows 11 for all county computers. Goldsmith estimated the total cost of necessary replacements to be approximately $169,000, with details to be presented at the next meeting. Commissioners decided to table the matter for further discussion. Additionally, the court approved the transition of the county’s website to a .gov domain to enhance its credibility. This change comes at no cost and will be implemented by Goldsmith.
The court also approved an application to bury a fiber optic line in Precinct 4. Plans to replace guy wires and anchors for a communication tower are moving forward, with materials being ordered and work expected to begin in February. The county will clear a path to improve access for the construction crew.
Another major decision involved the lease of a new road grader for Precinct 2. Commissioners approved trading in a 2019 all-wheel drive motor grader for a new model, priced at $384,000. The trade-in value of the older grader was set at $220,000, leaving a trade difference of $164,000. Financing for the new grader will be structured over 60 months with an interest rate of 4.82%, resulting in annual payments of approximately $44,000.
The meeting concluded with the approval of the fiber optic project, IT upgrades, and road grader lease, setting the stage for continued progress in the county’s infrastructure and technology systems. Further updates on pending IT proposals and projects are expected at the next meeting.
