Nelson city council is going paperless.
Like other councils and boards in the region, the City has decided that the use of Apple iPads and computers will save on the cost of photocopying and collating reports and agendas.
“We spend $15,000 on photocopying alone to produce council agendas as well as the staff time to copy and collate the reports,” said city manager Kevin Cormack.
Agendas and reports are already created electronically and Cormack said the only matter left to discuss was what equipment they will use to view the documents.
“They are cost effective and easy to use for council,” said Cormack. “Our agenda software supplier is also developing an application to make this even easier to use.”
Cormack said some city councillors are opting to use their own laptops and they will order and test iPads with the hopes of having them at the council table in March.
Councillors will also be able to access past documents and policies such as bylaws, the Downtown and Waterfront Sustainable Master Plan and the Official Community Plan.
“This make it easier for council to bring these documents to meetings and also reduces paper costs as they are updated or changed, or if we have a change in council,” said Cormack.
“We see this as a huge efficiency for staff, good for the environment and more convenient for council. It is a win, win, win.”