HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-31-13 News Release- Council on Facebook 90
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NEWS RELEASE
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2013 2:30 P.M.
From: Council President Derek D. Dieter Contact: 532-2200
Vice-President Oliver J. Davis Contact: 876-6938
Karen L. White, Health & Public Safety Committee Cha' Contact: 229-3100
Council Member Tim Scott, Information & Technology Chair Contact: 538-1936
CONTACT SB COUNCIL ON FACEBOOKAS IT ROLLS OUT IPADS
The South Bend Common Council is quickly becoming technology savvy, and hopes to save tax dollars as a
result of the new changes now being implemented.
The Council is in the process of switching from paper to iPads for conducting official city business. Savings
on paper costs as well as printing costs, and enhance communications will be just some of the positives
resulting from this transition. Cost-efficiency and greater transparency will continue to be bedrock themes
again this year for the Council, as it continues to explore innovative technologies. Such technology upgrades
however, will not replace the best communications — face to face talks. The Office of the City Clerk will
however continue to have paper copies of documents available to the public for their review.
1" District Council Member Tim Scott, who chairs the Council's Information and Technology Committee,
will focus on maximizing these efficiencies when he conducts a training session for the Council Members
next Monday. He noted that with the investment of about $6,600 to equip all nine (9) Council Members and
their attorney with iPads. Each should be able to:
• Use their time more wisely because of this technology
• Find information and data more quickly
• Communicate both in-house and with the public more efficiently
• Creatively develop better "best practices" which benefit Council operations and save
the taxpayers money in the long-run
The Council has developed policies and procedures addressing the "iPad Rollout". The focus of using these
technologies will be to "serve the government needs of the City of South Bend". The relevant provisions of
the Indiana Open Door Law as well as the state's access to Public Records will continue to govern, as well as
the City Code professional standards and policies. The Council has collaborated with the City's IT Division
in developing proper protocols, with the City Council taking the lead in developing what may become city-
wide standards.
Today, Facebook will be launched as another communication tool for the City Council. Again, policies and
procedures have been prepared which will govern this form of communication. The Council is committed to
keep pace with the ever-changing technologies which are aimed at better serving our community.