Metropolis Council discusses utilizing CARES Act funding for web site upgrades
The Columbus Metropolis Council mentioned utilizing funding from the Coronavirus Support, Aid, and Financial Stability Act to revamp town web site in the course of the council’s first assembly of the month on Oct. 14.
There was some dialogue about whether or not or not town ought to proceed to make use of its present software program that runs the web site or if it ought to change to a special platform that would do extra for town. Metropolis Administrator Elizabeth Mursko mentioned the advantages of updating town web site companies and what town would wish to pay for the service.
“Proper now our web site by means of GovOffice may be very cheap. It’s about $500 a yr. The programming may be very primary,” Mursko stated. “It’s very restricted to what you are able to do.”
With an upgraded web site, town would be capable to entry extra and do greater than with the present web site. Mursko additionally talked about that the brand new web site can be simpler to navigate than the present one.
CARES Act funding would pay for a piece of the fee for a brand new web site; town must proceed to pay for repairs, which might be greater than it’s presently paying.
Mursko additionally mentioned the wants town would have for cloud storage and the way presently town can’t retailer all of its paperwork and archives.
The good thing about upgrading storage would enable Metropolis Council members and metropolis employees to entry data from residence. It will additionally enable the residents of Columbus simpler entry to paperwork or data they want from town.
The council members voted to approve funding for the brand new web site, however they may make a closing choice on whether or not or not they may really use the funds for a brand new web site at a later date. The rationale they voted in the course of the assembly was to permit them the flexibility to make use of the funds because the council has to make its choice on CARES Act funding by Nov. 15.
In addition to the upgrades to the web site, council members additionally mentioned altering the way in which they presently maintain their council conferences.
As of proper now, the conferences are held over the telephone whereas council members, who might be, are current within the council chambers.
The plan is to change right into a video assembly type as an alternative of over the telephone like they’ve been doing for the reason that coronavirus shutdown.
Upcoming occasions
Within the assembly, the council members additionally mentioned a number of dates that will probably be set for various occasions, such because the annual Fact and Taxation assembly.
The Fact and Taxation assembly is ready to be held on Dec. 9. There’s nonetheless dialogue about whether or not or not they may have the assembly in individual, digitally, or some sort of hybrid mannequin. When Mursko requested the council members, they’d stated that they may resolve primarily based on the present state of issues in December however they’re planning for the assembly to be performed in a hybrid mannequin.
In addition they permitted the 170th Neighborhood assembly date for Nov. 16.
The Metropolis Council will meet subsequent on Oct. 28.
