The only option that has been discussed to address our technology need is to create a brand new position - Director of Data Processing (aka Director of Information Technology). I agree that we need better leadership and direction in this area. I do not agree, however, that the Council should create this position without an understanding of 1) the true cost to taxpayers and 2)other (less costly) options that exist to meet our needs.
Here are some facts:
1. No other municipality in Union County has an IT Director.
2. Woodbridge Township does have an IT Director, but shares the cost with Woodbridge BOE.
3. In September 2006 there was a Union County Summit on Shared Services. 18 municipal representatives attended, including Plainfield’s Carlton McGee. The consensus from that meeting - All municipalities are suffering from a poor IT structure and a shared services approach is the best approach.
4. Director of Data Processing salary ranges from $90,000 to $130,000. At that maximum number, this position would be the second highest salary in the City, costing more than any other non-union position except one.
5. The Director will not work alone. He or she will require staff and a budget for training, equipment, etc.
Here are the unanswered questions that the IT Committee has posed:
1. What will be the total IT cost (best estimate will do) for the remainder of this year? What are the annualized costs?
2. How does the City plan to off-set these costs?
3. What research has been done on the possibility of a shared service agreement, either to replace or to supplement the position of a Director?
4. Are there other options? (ex: Livingston has an IT Manager at 70k/yr)
The prevailing argument to move forward in creating this new expense is that we can’t afford to go any longer without investing in IT. I agree, we can’t. But we also can’t afford to make short-sighted decisions that would increase our budget at a time when other municipalities are taking huge actions to cut costs.
I am urging my colleagues on the Council to hold off on this decision until we are fully informed. Originally I voted to move the creation of this position forward because I was assured the Council would receive more information. We have not. Furthermore, I am not convinced that the Council will have any meaningful say in the funding of this position, once it has been created. The Administration is in charge of day-to-day operations of the City. The Council is the legislative body. While the Council votes on what the budget will be, it is ultimately the Mayor and her Administration that decide how the money is spent. Our government is set-up this way to ensure checks and balances and that is a good thing, but only if the Council makes thoughtful decisions.
I will continue to research this issue and hope to have more information by the end of the weekend.
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9 comments:
Councilor, stick to your guns, you are 110% right, something that has been mismanaged for three years should not have become an urgent necessity. A motion to table indefinitely should be in order.
Since this ordinance has a salary range, even though it does not authorize the expenditure of funds wouls in require a 2/3 majority vote to pass?
I agree. Though it is an important issue, the Council should only act once it has gotten what it needs to make a wise decision.
As the old saying goes, "If there isn't time to do it right, when will there be time to do it over?"
Keep up the excellent work.
Annie:
As you know, I did not support the ordinance on its first reading because the Administration has not made a convincing argument for an IT Director. I appreciate the fact that you are approaching this issue in a very thoughtful manner. I remain committed to a solution that will bring the city’s IT infrastructure up to date in order to deliver more services and to communicate more effective and efficiently with members of the public. However like you, I remain oppose to the current proposal for an IT Director for all of the reasons you cited. I will be voting NO on Monday and I urge the rest of our colleagues to do the same.
Regards,
Adrian
Annie, even though you have only been on the council for 3 months, you have proven to be a strategic thinker who is thoughtful and careful in your voting.
Obviously, when people vote for those who have the good of Plainfield at heart, instead of political agendas, the people win. Good for the citizens of Planfield for voting for people who are looking out for us.
Ms McWilliams,
I do not know you personally but you stopped by my home while you were campaigning. I am glad I gave you my vote. I am dismayed at the city council members who are willing to go along with creating this ordinance for well over $100,000 dollars for IT without giving us any reason for doing so. You and Councilman Mapp and Storch are to be commended for watching our money and I hope that the 4th vote comes from Councilman Burney who also represents my ward, the third ward. Many of us have expressed our dissatisfaction with this ordinance but instead of rational discussion we get the runaround. Thank you for being levelheaded. I urge the council to vote NO on this for now until taxpayers like myself are made aware of why it is necessary. I own three computers and when something goes wrong with one, I take it to the computer store (my "consultant") and he fixes it. I don't have to pay his health insurance or his overhead. Think about this, thank you.
Dear Citywide Councilperson,
I want to thank you for doing your homework, for raising questions, and for standing up for what you believe is best is for our city.
While I can see the need for an IT person, this position can't be justified right now without the proper cost and funding information, and as much as Plainfield would benefit from a functional and improved IT Department, there needs to be a better plan that saying "we need it now".
We are with you on this one. Vote NO and be confident that our support continues to be with you regardless of the outcome.
Maria Pellum
Annie,
I hope you can get that 4th vote to table this job creation ordinance. There is no reason why it must be done without a true assessment by an independent consultant (one who doesn't live here or work here and who is paid a fee to offer expert opinion). I wonder whether your colleagues who want to vote in favor of this ordinance truly understand that they are putting us taxpayers on the hook for paying the salary, benefits, health insurance, vacation days and sick days of this IT "director" and whoever else?? may comprise this department. It is irresponsible for the city council to even consider this seriously without weighing the ture costs. The administration's batting average is really poor and may of us don't trust that they would do anything more than hire some crony or hack. When one of the 3 computers in my home needs servicing, I use the "consultants" of the Geek Squad to fix it. The contract is cost-effective, and I am not paying their health benefits, vacation days, bloated salaries, and liability insurance. These are some of the true costs that the other councilpeople (aside from Storch and Mapp) are not considering or are unaware of. You stick to your guns. Thank you for living up to the promise you made at your swearing in.
You have shown that you are a thinker and will not allow anyone to roll over on you. You will be attacked for standing your ground, even if what you are saying makes sense. This administration has done nothing about IT and suddenly it's the greatest threat facing the city? I don't believe it for a minute and I'm glad you are not allowing them to pull the wool over your eyes. Even if the end result, after a real independent consultant weighs in, is that the city needs some sort of IT person, it may not be necessary for that person to be a "director" or even full-time. Annie, they will call you names and try to besmirch your reputation, but you know that your integrity is more important than anything else. Fight for true transparency in our local government, not the veneer of transparency continually promised by some.
I have to say I was gobsmacked when I read about this ridiculous request. I live in Plainfield and never in a million years would think that a position that would pay what I make in NYC doing similar work would ever come available.
Needless to say even if this position were to be approved, foolishly, I'd not want to apply since working for the current administration is right up there with working in the former Bush administration.
I trust Ms. Robinson-Briggs & Jerry Green with the change in my pocket. That's about it.
You and Mr. Mapp are on the right course here. The fact that the community access TV, website and many other assets are so mismanaged should be a FLASHING RED LIGHT to stop this train from moving any further!!
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