When it comes to managing community resources, decision-makers are expected to act with a certain level of understanding—especially when approving how residents’ money is spent. Unfortunately, the recent technology-related decisions made by the Snug Harbor Board of Governors suggest a troubling gap in that understanding.
A Timeline of Misdirected Spending
Back in 2021, the Board approved $750 for “office computer upgrades.” On paper, that might seem like a reasonable investment. But in reality, it was a half-measure that did little to solve the real problem: the aging and outdated office computer.
Fast forward to September 2025—just four years later—and the Board has now approved up to $1,200 for a completely new office computer. The irony here is hard to ignore: had the Board made the smarter choice in 2021 and replaced the system entirely, that initial $750 could have been applied toward a long-term solution, and this new $1,200 expense might have been avoidable altogether.
A Basic Understanding of Technology Would Have Helped
A closer look at the technical side of things reveals how shortsighted the initial decision was. Computers, like any piece of hardware, have a usable life cycle. Upgrading components in an already outdated system is often just putting a fresh coat of paint on a crumbling wall.
For $750, the upgrades in 2021 may have included small performance boosts—perhaps some additional RAM, maybe a new hard drive—but these would not resolve core limitations tied to an aging CPU, outdated motherboard, or unsupported BIOS.
Now, in 2025, the plan is to spend up to $1,200 on a brand-new system. That’s potentially $1,950 in total across two separate decisions that could have been avoided with a single, better-informed one.
What’s more frustrating is that a more cost-effective solution is still available today: simply upgrading the motherboard, CPU, and RAM in the existing case could cost significantly less than buying a brand-new prebuilt system—often in the $400–$600 range for a capable office machine. This option, which balances performance and budget, seems to have been overlooked entirely.
When Boards Lack Technical Oversight
This pattern points to a larger issue: the Snug Harbor Board of Governors appears to be making IT-related decisions without any meaningful technical input. Whether it’s due to a lack of consultation with IT professionals or a general disinterest in understanding how modern computers work, the result is the same—inefficiency, wasted money, and short-term thinking.
In today’s world, technology literacy isn’t optional for those managing budgets, especially when that budget includes infrastructure that supports the day-to-day operations of a community. The inability to distinguish between meaningful upgrades and short-lived patches is costing the community both time and money.
The Path Forward
If the Board truly wants to serve the best interests of Snug Harbor, it’s time to bring technical expertise into the conversation. This doesn’t mean every board member needs to be an IT professional—but it does mean seeking guidance before approving expensive, ineffective decisions.
A few practical steps:
- Consult a local IT professional before making major computer purchases or upgrades.
- Evaluate long-term value over short-term costs.
- Understand the lifecycle of key office equipment and plan replacements proactively, not reactively.
- Review spending outcomes annually to identify and correct patterns of inefficiency.
Until then, residents should continue to ask tough questions about how their money is being spent—because ignorance, especially when it comes to technology, is no longer an excuse