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25 <br />comprehensive planning, zoning, and inspections software solution would increase employee <br />efficiency and responsiveness. The County should conduct an evaluation of software offerings <br />through the IT Governance Council to determine the most appropriate software solution for the <br />enterprise. In order to most effectively implement a project of this magnitude and importance to the <br />County (the comprehensive planning, zoning, and inspections software package), it is recommended <br />that the County hire a third party, external project manager for this project. The project manager <br />should report to County administration (County Manager or Assistant County Manager) to ensure that <br />all parties involved in the implementation and use of the new software system are adequately and <br />fairly represented. <br />Paperless Agendas, Tablets, and Recordings of Commissioners' Meetings: <br />As the County continues to expand its technology initiatives to engage citizens and to improve County <br />services, improvements are needed related to County Commissioners' meetings and committee <br />meetings. First, it is recommended that the County select one or two locations for all Board of County <br />Commissioners' meetings, as well as all committee meetings. The location(s) need to be properly <br />equipped with state -of- the -art equipment for recording the meetings for live web - streaming, <br />archiving, and television productions. Furthermore, the design of the rooms should accommodate <br />technology for both Commissioners and citizens, such as screens and monitors to view presentations <br />regardless of location in the room. By dedicating a one or two locations with high - quality audio and <br />video recording systems, the County can effectively capture all Commissioners' and committee <br />meetings with uniform quality and results. <br />If the County cannot afford to properly equip two locations with the necessary technology for high - <br />quality web streaming and television production, it should consider leveraging UStream.ty or some <br />similar low -cost online application for streaming meetings. Other jurisdictions in the state are using <br />Ustream plus an iPad with an attached telephoto lens for recording meetings and posting the content <br />online. Such endeavors will still require someone to set up and staff the recording of the meetings, <br />but the costs for implementation will be substantially lower than a fully equipped production - quality <br />room. <br />In addition, the Commissioners and County should consider implementing true paperless agendas for <br />all Commissioners, with an option for printed items for selected large- format items or for those <br />Commissioners desiring hard copy versions. Currently the County spends considerable tax payer <br />dollars on printing agenda packets for each Commissioner and having those packets hand - delivered <br />by Sheriff deputies to each Commissioner. Moving to a tablet option with downloadable agenda <br />packets will save money, improve the environment by printing less paper and eliminating hand <br />deliveries, and it will demonstrate a commitment to being a progressive, technology -savvy <br />community. The use of tablets and paperless agendas (and agenda packets) has become <br />commonplace among North Carolina local governments and is much lauded by elected officials once <br />they become familiar with the technology and tools. <br />23 <br />