Nasir Kenea, Chief Information Officer provided the 2020 Budget Presentation for the Information Technology Services (ITS).
Staff provided the following responses to Committee inquiries regarding the 2020 ITS Budget Presentation:
Open Data
Staff advised that the Open Data portal was launched at the end of 2018, and there is plan to publish additional data sets on the City’s website in 2020. Releasing additional data sets has been delayed a bit due to workload.
A Committee Member suggested reaching out to third parties that have downloaded data from the City to better understand their reasons for requiring the information or its use.
Cyber Security
Staff advised that the City has taken steps to improve the City’s cyber security posture. Some of the steps taken to date include: 1) development of cyber security program and the work underway to address previously identified gaps; 2) hiring a Senior Cyber Security Specialist; and 2) purchasing cyber insurance for the City. It is possible that there will be a 2021 budget request for the implementation of parts of the Cyber Security Program.
Customer Service
Staff are trying to improve Help Desk response times by minimizing the calls to the help desk by providing more education and training to users as part of technology project implementations.
Website
The City’s website was designed by experts to be user friendly for customers. Continuous improvements are being made to the website to integrate and streamline online services.
Municipal Election
Funds for technology requirement for the municipal election (online voting) are requested and approved through the municipal election budget.
Regional Councillor Jim Jones asked why the voting software used in the 2018 municipal election could not provide the results for each Regional Councillor by Ward.
Software/Technology
The City collaborates with other local municipalities when possible to reduce software costs. However, each organization is required to purchase its own software licenses based on the way the license to use them is structure, which puts limitations on the cost savings that can be derived. However, negotiation as a larger group is continuously explored, if the timing of the project aligns between the municipalities.
Capital Budget Items
Staff provided the following responses to the Committees inquiries regarding the ITS Capital Budget items:
20055 – ITS - Recreation Fitness Training Management Application
This Capital Budget Item is for software that fitness members can use to track their fitness goals. The software is being requested by fitness members.
20056 – ITS - Recreation Facility Tablet Project
The tablets are being purchased to monitor the cleaning of the City’s community centres. Durable high quality tablets with cases are required, as they will be used while staff are cleaning. Staff agreed to look at opportunities to lower the cost per tablet when purchasing the tablets.
20061 - ITS - Life Cycle Asset Replacement
The life cycle for capital asset is determined by the type of asset being replaced.
Staff clarified that there is about $500K is available from previous budgets for the implementation of the Digital Markham Strategy. And $300K is being requested in this budget. The funds will be allocated to projects, which will be approved as per the normal purchasing process prior to the funds being spent.