April Minutes

ITAC MEETING MINUTES
For April 20, 2006

Attendees:
Frieda Artis (via conf. call), Reginald Brown, John Killebrew, Gloria McNeill

Due to work schedules & other commitments, Niamh Darcy, Shannon Schelin and JP Kenney indicated that they could not attend. Darryl Hammill was also absent from the meeting.

Wake County:
Velvadine Wallace, Lib Wanner

Meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.

2006-2008 IS Department Business Plan (continuation):
Lib asked the group to look at the handout of the “2006-2008 IS Department Business Plan”. She asked the group if they had any input or questions concerning the business plan. John Killebrew referenced page 11 of the handout and asked about the reorganization of the IS department. Lib then briefly discussed the IS Organizational Chart. She stated that Human Services has its own technology group and she felt that this was a good time to determine if there was a duplication of efforts on several projects and if resources could be leveraged to make the Human Services, e-Government, and IS groups work closely together. John Killebrew then asked Lib if she had leadership support when she started the reorganization process. Lib replied that she had been working on this over a three-year period and has management support from both Human Services and the County Manager. John stated that the state government went through the same reorganization structure, but law required it.

Lib also stated that Human Services currently has (3) business process analysts on six-month assignments working on special projects. Lib said their work would be assessed during the May-October timeframe to determine if Wake County is getting the value needed from the services of the contractors.

Review of IS Budget Requests:
Lib asked the group to look at page 23 and 24 of the handout and she briefly gave an overview of the FY 07 Operating Budget Requests and the Expansion Requests. She pointed out that the base budget included the salary increases from last October and that there was an increase in the business applications group because this is where the eGov Office staff was placed. Lib stated that five positions were transferred to software development group from Human Services and that four new positions were added for support on the new ERP System. Reginald Brown asked if the ITAC group assisted any with ERP. Lib replied that the group discussed ERP options of whether Wake County should upgrade the existing system or purchase a new system and ITAC gave valuable input. It was decided by the organization that a new integrated system would be purchased.

Lib then stated that the expansion requests included a request to convert four contract positions to full-time positions. She stated that IS currently utilizes contractors to work on special projects then determines if the positions are needed on a more permanent basis. John Killebrew asked why the contractors get a higher pay. Lib replied that they are paid more because they typically work for a contract firm and the County has to pay the overhead for the firm’s expense.

Oracle Collaboration Suite:
Lib stated that she and Vel would test the Oracle Collaboration Suite with Shannon before the next meeting on May 18th. Lib indicated that she would review the results of the Manager’s recommended budget as it related to the IS Department request at the next meeting and also review how to use the Oracle Collaboration Suite if she, Shannon and Vel were able to complete the testing.

The meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.