By JULIE BERTRAND
Independent Reporter
Council of Stettler County meetings will soon be paperless.
In a decision that was carried unanimously at its regular meeting on Feb. 9, council voted for the purchase of an Apple iPad, a case and a wireless keyboard for each councillor, the CAO and the assistant CAO.
The county will thus buy nine iPads at a total cost of $5,967.
Despite the transition to the digital planet, councillors will continue to have the option to get a hard copy of meeting agendas and other documents.
“The transition will happen slowly,” explained Tim Fox, CAO. “We need time to become proficient with the iPad. In the meantime, portions of the package and materials for council will still be on paper.”
Andrew Brysiuk, the county’s director of technology services, will be in charge of buying the iPads and training the councillors on how to use the iPads.
According to Shawna Benson, director of economic development and communications, council’s consumption of paper will decrease drastically.
“The average council package and additions is about 100 double-sided pages and we distribute these to media, councillors, staff and interested parties,” said Benson.
The packages will now be available for download on the council’s website and they will also be sent by e-mail to councillors before meetings. County staff members that will not have iPads will be able to bring laptops at council meetings.
Council hopes to save close to $1000 over a two-year period.
“It’s also about time management”, said Tim Fox.
“The iPad’s will allow us to get information to and from our councillors easier and with more efficiency and accuracy.”
The county administration will also encourage ratepayers and stakeholders to send more of their submissions by e-mail in the near future.