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RESOLUTION TO RATIFY THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE PASSAIC COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ENTERING INTO VARIOUS EMERGENCY CONTRACTS IN RESPONSE TO THE RANSOMWARE EVENT EXPERIENCED BY THE COUNTY IN MARCH 2026, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.3 OF THE PASSAIC COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE AND N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, on or about March 4, 2026, following the identification of suspicious activity within the County’s network environment, the County’s network-including phone systems, computers, and internet-became inoperable (“Ransomware Event”); and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6 provides that during times of emergency any contract may be negotiated or awarded for a contracting unit without public advertising for bids and bidding when an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare requires the immediate delivery of goods or the performance of services; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 5.3 of the Passaic County Administrative Code which sets forth emergency powers, the County Administrator is empowered to enter contracts for goods or services needed to preserve the health, safety and welfare of the public, subject to ratification of the Board; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6 and the emergency powers vested in him, the County Administrator has entered various emergency contracts in response to the Ransomware Event, as outlined in the attached memorandum, which is attached to and made part of this Resolution, in a total amount not to exceed two hundred forty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty-five dollars ($247,625.00); and
WHEREAS, the County expects that the above-described costs associated with the Ransomware Event will be covered by its cybersecurity insurance policy, however, pending resolution of its insurance claim, the County is responsible for rendering payment; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in any account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee, and the availability of funds has been contingently certified by the Chief Financial Officer subject to sufficient funds being appropriated by the Board in the 2026 and/or subsequent years’ County budget(s), which is attached to and made part of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the matter was discussed at the April 15, 2026, Administration and Finance Committee meeting, and is being recommended to the Board for ratification.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6 and section 5.3 of the Passaic County Administrative Code, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic ratifies the action taken by the County Administrator entering various emergency contracts in response to the Ransomware Event, as outlined in the attached memoranda, which are attached to and made part of this Resolution, in a total amount not to exceed two hundred forty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty-five dollars ($247,625.00).
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LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that all payments for the goods provided and services performed under this contract shall be paid in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6(b).
NB April 28, 2025