On the heels of a critical audit and an organizational shake-up at Sarasota City Hall, officials in charge of the city’s digital infrastructure said efforts are being made to shore up shortcomings identified in Information Technology management. 

Herminio Rodriguez, Information Technology director, said the department has put together a comprehensive plan to address issues. “Security is at the top of the list,” he said. But to address shortcomings in that department could take investment. At a City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Rodriguez said the city should consider upgrading its uplink capacity and its firewall technology. Rodriguez would also like to hire a security officer devoted to keeping city infrastructure secure. The changes could potentially require a budget amendment to provide an extra $180,000 for the IT department this year. In the wake of a Reliaquest audit and a leak of its unredacted report to certain city commissioners, the IT department earlier this year was transferred out from the auspices of the City Auditor and Clerk’s Office and put under the direction of the City Manager’s Office.

The City Commission on Tuesday also heard recommendations from the Bayfront 20:20 group and unanimously approved guiding principles and a mission statement regarding the the Bayfront’s future as a publicly accessible area of cultural significance.