OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Beginning with a new website nearly two years ago, officials remain focused on updating the township’s technology.
“We’ve continued to try to modernize throughout the years, but what we really kicked this into high gear is when Tom Cole came on as a trustee this past year,” Olmsted Township Trustee Riley A. Alton said.
“Tom really was the reason that we had been able to put our foot on the gas because this is the type of work that he does full-time. He understands the value of it, the need to invest in it and has been working directly with the vendor and with our administrator.”
Olmsted Township’s new IT vendor is Simvay, which has been responsible for enhancing protection across all the different departments.
Alton said the total cost for major IT upgrades since the township contracted with Simvay in early 2024 is $122,541.
That figure doesn’t include a $5,300 monthly service agreement for ongoing IT support, as well as $1,448 monthly Dark Fiber cost.
Simway’s efforts include the implementation of key cybersecurity controls to meet evolving Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards — unified identity management, advanced endpoint protection, centralized system logging and enhanced encryption protocols.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) was also rolled out, and outdated remote access applications were removed to close security gaps.
The strategic upgrades reflect the Township’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, security and digital accessibility.
“Cybersecurity isn’t optional — it’s essential,” Trustee Lisa Zver said.
“These updates give us peace of mind that we’re doing everything we can to protect township systems and resident data.”
Major infrastructure improvements included the township transitioning to a dark fiber network backbone, which not only replaced older, siloed connections but dramatically improved speed and reliability between facilities.
In addition to updated wireless infrastructure at the fire and police departments, aging firewalls and network switches were replaced with modern, enterprise-grade equipment.
A new backup server and expanded storage were also deployed to ensure data integrity and recovery capabilities.
“Reliable connectivity is critical for emergency response and daily operations,” Cole said.
“We’ve invested in solutions that support our team and our residents, today and in the future.”
The township also last month invested in CitizenServe Community Development Software.
The user-friendly, cloud-based software platform improves how residents and contractors interact with the building department.
CitizenServe enables online submission of applications, inspection scheduling and real-time permit tracking.
The first-year subscription and startup costs of $28,400 will be reimbursed by the First Suburbs Consortium while the township will pay an annual subscription of $14,400.
Alton commended Chief Building Official Justin Reed for his leadership in CitizenServe.
“It will produce real efficiencies for our staff, contractors and the public,” he said.
“It’s just good government.”
Zver added, “This is a big step forward for customer service. It’s more efficient for staff and far more convenient for residents and builders.”
Regarding the aforementioned new website, Cole said that really set the bar high for the township’s recent IT investments.
“Switching to a .gov address shows we’re serious about security and transparency,” he said. “These investments are about more than just upgrading hardware.
“They’re about protecting Township data, improving resident services and future-proofing our systems. We’re proud to deliver secure, efficient and modern technology that benefits both staff and the public.”
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