Let’s be real: tight budgets are the norm in municipal government. Every dollar is scrutinized. And when a vendor offers managed IT services at a rock-bottom price, it can sound like a lifeline.
But here’s the deal, when it comes to municipal tech, “cheap” can be downright dangerous.
Over the years, I’ve seen municipality IT leaders stuck with budget MSPs who promised the moon and delivered little more than antivirus and auto-replies. And when email gets compromised or a ransomware alert blinks red at 2AM? You're the one sweating it—not them.
So before you get tempted by that bargain-bin monthly quote, here’s what you really need to look out for:
1. Cybersecurity That Wouldn’t Pass an Audit
Slapping antivirus on a few machines and calling it “secure” doesn’t cut it. Not for CJIS. Not for NIST. And not when cyber insurers now demand real protections: multi-factor authentication, endpoint detection, immutable backups, and staff training.
If your MSP doesn’t cover these, your claim could be denied after an incident. You’re not just underprotected—you’re exposed. And when your mayor asks why, “it wasn’t in the scope” won’t be a good answer.
2. Backups That Leave Out Half the Village / Town / City
Think Microsoft 365 or your GIS system is backed up just because it’s in the cloud? Think again. Too many providers skip backups for tools like financial systems, permit platforms, or shared drives on hybrid servers.
And guess what? Most budget MSPs don’t offer immutable backups—now a must for compliance and cyber insurance. Ask them to show you exactly what’s being backed up. If they fumble, it’s time for a second opinion.
3. Hidden Fees That Punish Emergencies
Sub-15-minute response time sounds great—until you learn it only applies during business hours. Need on-site help on a Sunday after a storm takes out your switch? That’s extra. Need someone after 5PM when dispatch can’t access logs? Also extra.
You shouldn’t have to hesitate before picking up the phone. Predictable pricing means peace of mind.
4. “That’s Not Our Problem” Support
Printer offline? Internet flaky? Bodycam uploads stuck in the network? Too many vendors shrug and say, “not our lane.”
You need a partner who owns the entire tech ecosystem—not someone who cherry-picks responsibility. A real municipal MSP liaisons with your vendors, supports your cameras and squad laptops, and makes your tech their problem so you can sleep at night.
5. No One Driving the Bus
You’re not just looking for someone to reset passwords. You need strategic guidance—roadmaps, compliance prep, upgrade planning, and real conversations about what comes next.
The best MSPs give you a named account manager who thinks three steps ahead. Not just ticket jockeys, but partners who show up to budget meetings and help you win support from the board.
Bottom Line: Don’t Let a Low Quote Tank Your Tech
When your board asks about IT costs, it’s tempting to grab the cheapest line item. But that cheap plan could leave your village, town or city vulnerable—to outages, fines, and public backlash.
If you’re not sure where the gaps are, let’s take a look together. No pressure. No pitch deck. Just a real-time walkthrough of your network and contracts to show you where the risks lie—and how to close them without blowing the budget.
Schedule your FREE Municipal IT Risk Assessment today. Because you’ve got enough on your plate already. Let’s make sure your tech isn’t what keeps you up at night.
