HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - July 6, 1983 (33)REQL)EST FOR
City Manager Glaves introduced Agenda item K-7 - "Authorize
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Ce pAer Needs Study" apprising the Council that presently,
FOR CCMPUIER
the City of Lodi ',Las an Imo! System/34 comuputer in
NES SIUDY
operation. All of the existing data processing applications
are Finance Department related, such as: utility billing,
payroll, general ledgers, accounts payable, appropriations,
Sev,xal other departments in the City have requested new
data processing services and, in some cases, employees have
even brought in their own micro computers to establish
independent information systems that are needed. In the
past year the City has also invested in word processors to
supplement its centralized data processing equipment.
With the increasing requests for information systems, the
investments the City has in additional data processing
equipment and the rapidly advancing technology, the real
concern is to see to it that the City establish an
organized, long-range information system plan.
It is felt that it is essential to develop, through
Vital interviews, a list of data processing
information requirements. Priorities would have to be
established based upon the following: information to be
provided to the public, information to be provided to staff
and cost savings to the City. It would also be necessary to
determine the need for the use of micro or personal
oomputers as to whether they be interconnected to the City's
mainframe computer or be a stand alone unit based upon the
data base of the information system.
City Manager Glaves indicated that Finance Director Robert
Holm has invited the City's independent audit firm of Ernst
and W ,. inney to prepare a proposal to accomplish these
objectives. Ernst and Whinney has performed the annual
audits of the City's recores since 1976 and are not only
thoroughly familiar with the City's financial transactions
but also have audited the City's data processing operations
each and every year. In their proposal Ernst and Whinney
plans to use their most qualified data processing personnel
Several other departments in the City have requested
data processing services and, in sane cases, employees have
even brought in their own micro computers to establish ,
in -dependent information systems that are needed. In the
past year the City has also invested in ward processors to
supplement its centralized data processing equipment.
With the increasing requests for information systems, the
investments the City has in additional data processing
equipment and the rapidly advancing technology, the real
concern is to see to it that the City establish an
organized, long-range information system plan.
It is felt that it is essential to develop, through
departmental interviews, a list of data processing
information requirements. Priorities would have to be
established based upon the following: information to be
provided to the public, information to be provided to staff
and cost savings to the City. It would also be necessary to
determine the need for the use of micro or personal
computers as to whether they be interconnected to the City's
mainframe computer or be a stand alae unit based upon the
data base of the information system.
City Manager Glaves indicated that Finance Director . Robert
Holm has invited the City's independent audit firm of Ernst
and Whinney to prepare a proposal to accamplish these
objectives. Ernst and Whinney has performed the annual
audits of the City's records since 1976 and are not only
thoroughly familiar with the City's financial transactions
but also have audited the City's data processing operations
each and every year. In their proposal Ernst and Whinney
plans to use their most qualified data processing personnel
out of their San Francisco and Sacramento offices. The cost
of their proposal, including out of pocket expense, would
not exceed $12,300.
A very lengthy discussion followed with questions being
directed to Staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Snider then moved to authorize the
auditing firm of Ernst and Whinney to conduct a Camputer
*feeds Study within the City of Lodi at a cost not to exp
$12,300. The motion was seconded by Mayor Olson but failed
to carry by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members - Snider and Olson (Mayor)
Noes: Council Members - Murphy and Pinkerton
Absent: Council Menbers - Reid
Following additional di.scussioe-i, Mayor Olson, with the tacit
concurrence of the other Council members directed the City
Clerk to place this matter on the agenda for the July 20,
1983 rreeti::g requesting additional information including a
copy of the proposal sutnutted by the firm of Ernst and
Whinney.