Public Building Advisory Committee discusses who should fund replacement of aging Avulum server for election board cameras

County staff told the Public Building Advisory Committee on June 26 that the election board reported its 16-year-old Avulum server used for Lincoln camera systems needs to be upgraded. The committee discussed whether the Public Building Advisory (PBA) should fund and manage replacement of the server and any associated security additions such as extra cameras or door scanners.

A staff member summarized the election board’s request and asked the committee for guidance on whether the PBA should purchase and manage the replacement hardware or whether another funding path was appropriate. The staff presentation noted the server’s age and asked whether the PBA would “take care of that financially.”

Committee member Keith responded, “if it's at end of life, uh, then the PBA certainly is financially responsible to replace it,” and suggested packaging the server replacement with the other requested items so the county could procure a single solution. Committee members asked staff to prepare a bundled package (server, additional cameras, door scanners) and bring it back to the committee for consideration.

Dane and other members agreed there was no need for immediate action. The committee concluded that staff should return with a full proposal and cost estimate; no formal motion to expend funds or change ownership was made at the meeting.

Why it matters: the server replacement affects election board security infrastructure and capital planning for county-owned properties. Determining the funding source — whether the PBA pays directly or the election board or another entity funds the work — will affect budgeting and procurement timelines.

Next steps: staff will draft and return with a bundled recommendation that outlines scope, estimated cost and procurement approach; the committee did not take an immediate vote.