The County Administrator emphasized the importance of cybersecurity, citing a recent ransomware attack in St. Paul as a reminder of the potential threats faced by local governments. The board discussed implementing policy changes to address vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access to county networks. These changes, spearheaded by the IT department, aim to protect the county’s digital infrastructure.

In transportation matters, the county engineer announced a public meeting to discuss the long-range transportation plan. The meeting, designed in an open-house format, will present the themes that emerged from over 500 public comments, focusing on safety, congestion, and accommodations for non-motorized users. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide additional feedback. The engineer noted that the plan reinforces existing priorities and partnerships, particularly with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. A preliminary report summarizing public feedback will be available online following the meeting.

The County Administrator also provided an update on the recent audit findings, which highlighted documentation issues related to federal contracts. Efforts are underway to ensure proper documentation to avoid future audit findings. Additionally, a leadership training program for supervisors was discussed to enhance internal promotion and development efforts.