LEC battery backup replaced

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners voted to purchase a new battery backup for the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) at a cost of about $9,000 during a morning session on March 22.

Much of Monday’ meeting was spent in an overall update of the county’s technology with Zach Fitzgerald from CTSI, the county’s IT consultant.

County sheriff Edward Miller asked for the immediate purchase of the “external battery pack” for the LEC IT system in light of the fact that the current backup is completely “dead.”

Also discussed was the replacement of one of the county’s servers for about $13,000. Fitzgerald said the support agreement on the current server can be extended, but it is nearing full capacity and will be out of support in the “next couple of years.”

The commissioners voted to extend the warranty for now and consider purchasing a new server in the next budget year, which starts in October 2021.

Fitzgerald reported that he is working with AT&T to reimburse the county for an internet connection that is no longer used but has continued to be included in the billing.

He went over the county’s use of CTSI’s support services, including a review of the number of requests and responses during the last three months, as well as explaining how the company’s cyber defense system works.

Other Business

•Precinct 2 commissioner Ace Reames reported that a contractor hired over a year ago to repair a creek crossing had not yet completed the job, and county attorney Rolllin Rauschl made some suggestions. He also said he would review the contract.

•The February treasurer’s report was approved.

•County constable Xavier Perez said that he had completed his initial required school and had also obtained certification to serve as a courtroom bailiff.

•Casey Smith, the new DPS officer assigned to Shackelford County, was introduced by county judge Robert Skelton.