Mukilteo mayor fires staffer over loss of computer data

MUKILTEO — The city wound up getting nearly all of its data back after an April computer crash, but the episode has cost a city employee his job.

Dave Varga, Mukilteo’s information technology director, was fired last month by Mayor Joe Marine.

“He was the manager of that department, his No. 1 job was to protect the city and our information, and he failed on that front, and we need to move forward,” Marine said.

Varga was let go June 18. Varga was out of the office working on a fiber-optic line when the system crashed April 4, officials have said. Another IT employee had left the city several weeks earlier.

The city later paid $36,000 to a Minnesota firm to retrieve the data, and about 95 percent of it was recovered.

The city now is looking at spending $171,500 on a new system, but is considering other options as well. The City Council plans to discuss the issue at its meeting July 16.

In the interim, the city has hired KDH Consulting of Lake Forest Park to manage its information technology and is using a tape system to back up the data, officials said.

It’s possible that Varga won’t be replaced and the city will hire a contractor for all its IT services in the future, Marine said. It’s also possible the city won’t buy an in-house system but will go to a more “virtual” way of storing information.

This way, the system will be in the hands of IT professionals who will be up to date on the latest methods, rather than the city having to continually update its own system and pay a staff member for ongoing training, Marine said.

“I think I’ll get a better product and save the city money by contracting the need,” he said.

The city would still have an in-house help-desk person and arrange with the contractor to send a person to City Hall when the employee is out, Marine said.

Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson said she’s glad the data issues are being addressed, but said not all the blame can be laid at Varga’s feet.

“It’s definitely true that our IT manager was the responsible one for that department, but I think there was a problem with lack of oversight over all of it as well,” she said. “I think the mayor and city administration betrayed the public trust.”

Marine said IT staff are hired to be the experts.

“Regardless of who’s running it, there will be a whole lot more questions asked in the future,” he said. “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.