Town commissioners consider iPad purchase

The Longboat Key Town Commission will decide whether the town should purchase iPads for commissioners, which would cost taxpayers $4,200.

Since October, Management Information Systems Director Kathi Pletzke has been investigating the possibility of using iPads in a variety of ways throughout town government.

Commissioners can use the iPad, the first tablet computer developed by Apple Inc., which was first released in 2010, to review town agendas, Pletzke said. iPads can also be used in at least three town departments.

At its 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26 regular workshop, the commissioners will vote to use commission contingency fund monies to make the purchase.

“Over the past several months, staff has been modifying our agenda-preparation process to make it easier to allow for agenda publication in hard copy, the town’s website and iPad formats,” Town Manager Bruce St. Denis wrote in a memo to commissioners. “We are at a point where it appears all three methods of publication can be accommodated without significant additional staff effort.”

Commissioners who have access to wireless Internet would be able to download meeting agendas without coming into Town Hall.  St. Denis estimates the town could also install wireless Internet for commissioners who need it at a cost of $40 per month, per computer.

The iPads also have town email capability.

The test iPad already has a town-issued, fire-inspection program on it that allows firefighters to make inspections around the Key and allows them to update the program while on-site.

Police officers and code enforcement officers can also fill out police and code reports on the scene with the iPad.
 

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].