Laserfiche WebLink
CleanPrint Preview Page 2 of 3 � <br /> k::.f., �`..�i x�`� <br /> � � `r� �`Po��t yat�r., : , - <br /> '����������� ������� r��`�� � � htk:,r�ls ar#Wbunecorr�:� <br /> • St. Paul over the sununer began implementing a The city made the move after printing costs for <br /> paperless purchasing system for equipment and council meetings ran about $4,000 over budget <br /> supplies that will integrate 25 different last year. <br /> departinent billing systems. "We are electronically <br /> streanllinulg operations in the city," said ln Minneapolis, Lindstrom said residents receive a <br /> spokesman Bob Hume. "It's a winner for city e-mail with a link to their monthly utility bill <br /> taxpayers and the environment." when it's ready, and then they can pay the bill <br /> online. He said about S.6 percent of Minneapolis' <br /> In Ramsey,the paper-saving effort began after a utility customers have signed up for e-bills since <br /> new mayor and two new counci] members took the city began offering tl�e service a year ago. <br /> office in January. The city has gone electronic for <br /> its City Council,board and cormlzission ineetings, Eden Prairie started using e-billing this year and <br /> though a few officials still prefer printouts. l�as about 10 percent of its utility customers <br /> signed up. Maple Grove is testing an e-billing <br /> "The council can sit down,open up a laptop, and system. <br /> there is Case 1, Case 2,Case 3," said Dean Busch, <br /> Railisey's iuformation technology manager. City ofticials acknowledge that the dollar savings <br /> are modest in the early stages of such a <br /> Busch estimated that after paying$3,700 for changeover,but they see big potential savings in <br /> laptops plus some related costs,the city will paper,postage and time. Minneapolis spends <br /> realize a net savings of about$5,550 in the first about$500,000 a year in postage alone to mail <br /> year and more after that.The savings include more than 100,000 bills a month for water,sewer, <br /> $1,400 from printing only tw-o paper agenda trash hauling and recycling, Lindstrom said. <br /> packets instead of 23 for the biweekly meetings. <br /> Copying fewer packets also saves staff time. Many area cities are getting help going paperless <br /> from a joint-po�vers consortium called Logis, <br /> Big Lake spent about$4,200 for seven laptops so short for"Local Government Infonnation System <br /> its council and corrmlission members, except the Association." Logis, which has 37 city nZembers in <br /> park board, could go electronic, said City Clerk Minnesota, shares software aud techiucal services <br /> Gina Wolbeck. "I used to do 22 copies of the to reduce costs, said Executive Director Mike <br /> council packet, some up to 500 pages each. Now I Garris. F-Ie said some of the software is <br /> do two. It's made a huge difference. I tl�ink the inexpensive,yet can save a city a lot. <br /> laptops have paid for themselves already." <br /> "Whenever you can avoid having to handle and <br /> Advertisement <br /> � ` � °� ��� ;:°�-�gsz `�:� } ��r^ . <br /> - � 7 A �G <br /> ��'� �� <br /> � r M= i, <br /> ��i t �'�' .. � � ` � � �.. <br /> Print Powered By ��t� _ �.�r��ynamics � <br /> http://www.startribune.com/local/south/63488487.html?e1r—KArksUUUoDEy3LGDi07aiU 10/6/2009 <br />