Nutter proposes “unprecedented” $120 million IT budget, moves toward paperless
Mayor Nutter has announced plans to significantly invest in city information technology and pursue paperless government efficiencies in an attempt to improve tech infrastructure, cut costs and streamline city services.
“We may not be completely paperless, but we will use less paper,” Nutter said in his budget address to City Council this morning before a packed crowed that filled the historic Council chamber’s floor and balcony seating.
If City Council approves the budget, Nutter says that an “unprecedented” investment in city technology will provide $120 million to improve IT over the next five years, including $25 million in FY11.
Job creation is also a priority of Nutter’s $3.87 billion budget proposal. Nutter promised to restore in 2014 the wage and business tax reduction schedule, halted last year. He also referenced tech tax incentive pilot studies announced last week, which will allow technology firms to sell services outside of the city tax-free.
Nutter insisted that tax increases did not make sense during a recession, proposing instead two new city revenue streams—a hike in trash collection fees and a sales tax increase on sugar-sweeneted beverages—to help close the city’s budget shortfall. With the city buried by double-digit unemployment, Nutter told the crowd that Philadelphia “must not allow our present to be our future,” later quoting Thomas Paine: “These are the times that try men’s souls,” he said.
The announcements are more evidence of the municipality’s continued attention to city technology. City Chief Technology Officer Allan Frank hinted at the Mayor’s intent to invest in IT at a Refresh Philly event a year ago. The administration overhauled the Division of Technology last year, placing Frank in charge of 33 city agencies and 520 employees. Last month, Councilman Bill Green introduced legislation to enact a permanent Chief Information Officer position as part of the Mayoral cabinet.
Nutter also praised in the address Councilmen Green and Rizzo for their work with the motor vehicle cell phone ban.
Alex Hillman on March 5th, 2010
Bill Green is one of the best things going for this city, and not just in terms of a technology agenda. He’s on the front lines, interacting, and communicates like a human being.
I hope more people realize he’s an advocate and not only support his efforts, but find creative ways to include him in the grassroots efforts going on every day.
I wish Bill had been able to get out more than 6 words at IgnitePhilly. That room was primed to hear what he has to say, far and beyond the Google Fiber initiative.
Streetsmart on March 5th, 2010
Can I just say that for the past several days L&I online permitting system has been inoperable, walking you step by step through the process but then indefinitely hanging. City needs to believe in IT + make sure their systems work, cause right now – sadly – even where investments are being made, they’re being insufficiently supported, so it’s a sad joke.
Deb Adams on March 11th, 2010
I can’t believe governments spending so much in technology when low cost commodities “software as a service” are arising quickly (I mean, services like govoffice.com or town2web.com)
These seems the only chance to small cities that can’t spend 120 million…
Deb
Justin Mosebach on March 15th, 2010
They should consider putting their public meeting videos online. Chester and Lancaster County Commissioners do: http://www.makeamotion.net/chesco and http://www.makeamotion.net/lanco
Our company in Lancaster does it for them.