AGENDA #2

February 25, 2004

Information Technology Department

Initial Budget Presentation to the Mayor and Town Council

2004-2005

I.          Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Information Technology Department is to provide technology oversight and direction to help the Town make the best possible use of available technologies.

II.        Brief Services Description

            The key services provided by the department are:

· Provide the structure, equipment, software, and support for staff, citizens and other interested parties to use Town information efficiently within a secure environment.

· Oversee procurement, operation and maintenance of computer and telephone systems, network services and related equipment.

· Develop and maintain Internet related information services including the Town’s web sites.

· Provide support for departmental data services.

III.       Departmental Revenue Estimates

            The Information Technology Department does not directly generate revenue.

IV.       Departmental Base Budget Cost Estimates

Budget Category	2003-2004  Original Budget	Requested 2004-2005 Budget
Personnel	$349,430	$355,153
Operations	$186,268	$253,618
Capital Equipment	$47,000	$48,000
TOTAL	$582,698	$656,771

V. Key Programs or Services that are Going Well

· The computer replacement program for desktop computers and network servers provides support for critical systems in all of the General Fund supported departments. The purchasing model has been updated to include desktop, laptop and servers for all departments.  The total is approximately 500 computers.

· The State of North Carolina is initiating a new contract for licensing Microsoft network and desktop software. The new contract will allow the Town to spread payments over a three year period. Since the number of computer users has risen, this will allow the Town to accommodate needed software on a relatively stable year-to-year pricing model.

· Database services continue to be upgraded. Most departmental databases have been upgraded to network enabled programs. We are extending network based applications to the Geographic Information System (GIS) programs and to construction design and review applications. Business systems are also being upgraded to support building permit applications.

· Helpdesk support has provided much needed support for Town staff.

VI.       Key Programs or Services that could be Improved

· The Town’s web site needs a complete upgrade to accommodate easier navigation, better search tools, and an improved capability for staff to publish information.

· The commercially hosted site is being shifted to a new firm to improve reliability.

· Wide area network services has not maintained pace with departmental needs for higher bandwidth and reliable service. The contract for the Road Runner Business Class Service is expiring and is being replaced with a fiber based service. The cost of the new service is higher than the cable modem based service.

· Access to mapping information by all Town departments needs to be improved.

· Electronic workflow and document management capabilities need improving.

· Support for computer maintenance needs to be increased.

· Support and training for office application software needs to be improved.

VII.     Proposed Additions or Reductions

· To fully support departmental objectives, three additional full-time employees are needed.

o One full-time employee is needed to provide programming and publishing support for the Town’s web site and web based applications ($69,956).

o One full-time employee is needed to provide installation and maintenance support for desktop computers ($59,391).

o One full-time employee is needed direct an enterprise level Geographic Information System including data systems management and development of web based applications ($76,563).

· The planned upgrade to the traffic signal system will provide the Town with a one time opportunity to add Town purchased fiber cable to the project. Use of an outside consultant to devise a detailed plan and cost estimates is recommended ($15,000).