Network needs changes

The city of Grand Coulee faces major changes to its police department communications network that could cost up to $75,000 within the next 18 months.

The new network modification, required by the state, will provide security in the transfer of confidential materials.

Juan Romo, of RISC Network Solutions of Moses Lake, made a presentation at the council meeting last week, showing equipment costs and installation of around $62,000 and annual maintenance costs of $15,000 more.

The new computer equipment and software would encrypt transmissions so hackers could not get access to confidential records, Romo stated.

The city hasn’t decided how to face the modification costs, but City Clerk Carol Boyce said that it could do a budget amendment for part of the cost this year and add the remainder to its 2015 budget.

The city council didn’t act on the proposal and could develop a different plan to correct the equipment need.