04. Budget adjustment for dark fiber optic cables

211 9th Street South, Fargo, ND 58103 | www.casscountynd.gov Information Technology Telephone: 701-241-5750 ITD@casscountynd.gov MEMO TO: Cass County Commission FROM: Bob Henderson, IT Director DATE: October 5th, 2022 SUBJECT: Lease of Dark Fiber from Midco ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Commissioners, Enclosed is a quote to lease fiber optic cable from the Court House to the Law Enforcement Center, Highway Department, and Jail facilities. Background: Cass County relies heavily upon a robust, stable network connection to complete our daily business activities. Currently, we have a single connection to all the sites listed above, both through county-owned Fiber in the case of the Jail/Highway Department, and through an existing leased fiber connection for the Law Enforcement Center. However, there is currently no redundant connection to any of these locations. In the event of a fiber cut, we are looking at potentially lengthy outages which would render each site isolated from the rest of the county, unable to connect back to our resources, nor out to State resources or the internet. Depending on the severity of these potential cuts, as well as the availability of repair technicians and equipment, outages have been known to last a week or more with no connectivity. The included quote is for leasing of 6 pairs of Dark Fiber from Midco. These would be dedicated, direct shots from the Court house to each facility. Due to the fact these are a different carrier, the pathway is a geo-diverse path and therefore has a much lower chance of being damaged in the event the existing fiber is cut. This is a non-budgeted request. Each connection on this is $475/month, for a total of $1900/month or $22,800/year. This would be a 60 month agreement, locking us in at current rates. SUGGESTED MOTION: Approve budget adjustment and proposal from Midco to lease 6 strands of Dark Fiber from the courthouse to the LEC, Highway Department, and Jail at a monthly cost of $1,900. Bob Henderson Information Technology Department