Regional News
November 20, 2008 09:47 PM
Plan would mean $8-million savings to York Region; easier access to services for residents
David Fleischer
If you are sometimes confused about whether you should go to your local municipality or York Region for concerns about roads, taxes or other issues, a new joint effort may provide the answer.
Regional council was set to approve a motion today, to initiate the development of a joint Internet portal with the Town of Markham.
While each local municipality maintains a unique website, the hope is to give them all the same background software so users can move fluidly between them for any services.
In the long term, it’s something that could appeal to all lower-tier municipalities, ensuring a familiar, unified, easy-to-use system, finance commissioner Lloyd Russell said.
“We’re trying to provide web services on a more cost-effective basis and to create a website that is more seamless,” he said.
Websites have become crucial portals between residents and municipalities over the past decade and while they share plenty, York Region and its nine municipalities developed their respective sites individually.
A staff report notes that many residents don’t know who does what or where to go with concerns, and creating a “no wrong door” approach to service delivery could make things easier for everyone.
As technology evolves, uses can be expanded to include online public meetings and other features, Mr. Russell said.
“Our website is primarily informational and I think, societally, everyone is looking to (do things) outside of normal business hours. To me, it’s an evolution of doing business,” he said.
Their lack of participation does not mean other local municipalities are not interested.
Most said they will continue to monitor developments.
“We want to see what kind of services it will provide the community, and how much it will save,” Newmarket treasurer Bob Dixon said.
While the principle of savings through integration is appealing, they would like to see how the system works before signing on.
The $1.6-million contract for hardware, software and support services goes to IBM, with Markham and York Region splitting the bill.
A subsequent contract deals with ongoing maintenance services.
Technological limitations meant York Region was looking to upgrade its website anyway.
Costs are expected to be saved through integration, with staff estimating it will cost municipalities between 30 and 60-per-cent less than developing their own sites.
While IBM suggested the region could save up to $8 million, staff cautioned that rather than reduced costs, reduced time and effort for residents will be the main benefits.
Staff recommended against introducing user fees to recover any costs.
Ongoing operating costs are expected to be between $425,000 and $450,000 in the first five years, climbing as high as $600,000 in the next five.
Residents can expect to see changes by the end of 2009, but should not necessarily expect a massive website relaunch.
Rather, the region expects to unveil new features as they come online.