| COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: November 21, 2011 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
City Council Expands eCouncil Initiative
(Columbus)--Columbus City Council continues to improve the way it does business, save taxpayer dollars and help protect the environment by spearheading efforts to move to a more paperless legislative process. Councilmember A. Troy Miller is sponsoring ordinance 2049-2011, which allows for the purchase of tablet computers and other related items and software, as part of the City’s eCouncil initiative.
“On a typical week, the City Clerk’s Office produces more than 4,000 pages of printed materials to support Councilmember’s review and assessment of legislative matters,” said Councilmember Miller. “The move to electronic distribution of these materials will significantly reduce the reliance on printed materials, while allowing staff to work in a more productive, positive business-transformation, manner.”
A number of city councils across the country have transitioned to electronic tablet distribution and review of legislation materials. An extensive study of the processes and procedures of these offices was conducted to develop a plan for Columbus. It is estimated that the real dollar savings of more than $20,000 resulting from the move to electronic distribution will surpass the cost of the project in approximately one year. Further cost savings will be realized from more than nine staff hours freed-up per week as a result of electronic distribution, and as additional office supplies and equipment, such as calendars, digital cameras and some desktop computers, transition to the tablet computers.
This project is part of the larger eCouncil initiative, which is being designed to provide more information to more people at lower costs to taxpayers. Earlier this year, Council announced the pending launch of its enhanced legislative website that allows residents to read and review archived ordinances and those current being considered by Council. Future enhancements include the ability for website users to view on-demand video of the reading, discussion and vote by Councilmember of specific legislation.
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