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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> last year in 2018 for the improvements at the zoo. We never formally appropriated the money to <br /> be spent from that bond. So, it's not a new bond issue or anything like that, it just appropriates the <br /> money from that original bond issue back in 2018. I would be happy to answer any questions on <br /> those items or other items. <br /> Committee Chair White opened the floor to questions from Committee and Council Members. <br /> Committeemember Voorde asked, How is this new accounting system better than what we have? <br /> When do you expect it to be online? <br /> Mr. Parker replied,The accounting system we have,we think it was implemented in 1991 or 1993. <br /> We are trying to trace that back to exactly when,but it is extremely old and very outdated. It makes <br /> it difficult to extract information and that causes some of our processes to be cumbersome and <br /> difficult to maneuver. The new system we are implementing is Microsoft Dynamics 365 for <br /> Finance and Operations. It is a cloud-based system and very easy to work in. There will be many <br /> efficiencies gained from a process and procedural standpoint. That last one (1) is really what I'm <br /> most excited about. This implementation process and the new capabilities we will have with this <br /> system will allow us to take a good look at all of our processes such as accounts payable,inventory, <br /> cash management, accounts receivable, financial recording and the general ledger. All of those <br /> processes should be as efficient as they can be, and they should all have as much internal control <br /> as they can. <br /> Committeemember Voorde followed up, And when will this be functional? <br /> Mr. Parker replied,The go-live is April of 2020. So, we still have, roughly, nine(9)months in the <br /> implementation. <br /> Committeemember Voorde then stated, We Council Members were getting calls from landlords <br /> about the new bill that Governor Holcomb signed for putting tenant's names on water bills as well <br /> as, or instead of, the landlord. Will this system accommodate that? When I asked and tried to <br /> follow up, they said they don't have the capability of doing that. I imagine it's the old software. <br /> Mr. Parker replied, Well, that's actually a different old software system. There are multiple <br /> software systems that are being implemented right now. The Utility Billing Software System is <br /> also being revamped. There is a new system called AQUESTA that is coming in. As I understand <br /> it, that should be functional toward the end of this year, around the November timeframe. I'm not <br /> sure about that specific functionality, but that will come in this year. <br /> Committeemember Broden stated, The Zoo, as I understand it, we are establishing a budget to <br /> track the expenditures of the bond. Relative to legislative action in the General Assembly and other <br /> significant funding sources being created, have we changed our scope? The fact this is plugged in <br /> at the original $3.3 million, I'm assuming we have not changed our scope in terms of what we are <br /> in, when we are in and the timing of that over the course of the bond? <br /> Mr. Parker replied, That is correct. We have not changed our scope. I'm happy to invite Aaron up <br /> here to discuss the relationship with the Zoo and what our plans are going forward. But, as far as <br /> the funding for the capital projects specifically, we have not changed the scope of that. <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION j INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 T11)574.235 5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 3 <br />