Island Lake eying new IT firm, but Sciarrone objects
Island Lake trustees have identified the firm they want to get the village’s computer system running properly.
Nearly all the board members want to hire Ryden Solutions, a Volo company, to be their information-technology experts. A contract could be considered at the next board meeting, set for June 13.
The village has been without a computer consultant since the previous vendor, Kodiak Technology Group, was fired.
Kodiak is owned by Daniel Field, an Island Lake resident who campaigned against new Mayor Charles Amrich’s slate ahead of the April election and repeatedly tried to get Amrich removed from the ballot.
Without someone overseeing the computers, problems with email and other services have arisen.
The board initially considered a Lake in the Hills company for the gig but decided to broaden the search.
Last week, Amrich created a three-member committee to study the issue and consider proposals from vendors. The group met Wednesday, and Trustee Mark Beeson spoke about their findings during Thursday’s board meeting.
Beeson called finding a company to solve the village’s IT woes “a daunting task.”
“It’s complex and can get expensive,” Beeson said.
The two men who comprise the Ryden staff had been working on the village’s system as subcontractors, hired by Kodiak, Beeson said. They’re familiar with the computers, Beeson said, and they offered a price officials thought was acceptable.
Beeson said the board should overlook Ryden’s connection to Kodiak.
“These guys have no choice but to prove themselves,” said Beeson, who was on Amrich’s slate and also was targeted by Field. “Everybody’s watching them.”
Trustee Chuck Cermak agreed, saying he’s “very comfortable” with the company.
The only trustee who objected was Tony Sciarrone, who cited the Kodiak link. Field tried to get Sciarrone knocked off the ballot, too, but he withdrew his complaint before the matter could be heard by an electoral board.
“I’m not questioning their qualifications,” Sciarrone said. “I’m sure they’re qualified. It’s a trust issue.”
Cermak reminded Sciarrone and the other trustees that the election is over and that the board must act in the best interest of the village.
Trustee Keith Johns said the board likely would hire Ryden to fix immediate problems. A long-term contract isn’t being considered, he said.