By ROY WOOD

Council progressed toward its goal to “enhance government transparency,” with the approval of paperless agendas, an upgraded town website and webcasting of council meetings.

In a report to council Monday, corporate officer Diane Vaykovich said the proposals come out of a review of the town’s strategic plan and will result of a savings of about $3,500 in the first year and over $9,000 in subsequent years.

The move away from paper will see councillors and senior staff given iPads and a new app that will allow council and staff to “download, review and annotate the paperless agenda” that is already being created.

Cost of seven iPads for council and four senior staff is estimated at about $6,300. The annual savings in costs to compile, print and distribute paper agendas is estimated at nearly $10,000.

The website piece will see the introduction of a Civic Web Portal link to the town site, which will automatically refresh with the latest “agendas, minutes, meeting schedules, events, citizen engagement page and e-library.”

According to Vaykovich, while the information is available on the website, it is “under multiple pages, which makes it difficult and frustrating for residents and web users. Consolidating this information further improves council’s goal for an open and transparent government.”

Cost of the Civic Web Portal is about $800 per year. Council also approved a further $1,000 for general improvements to the website.

The webcast of council meetings will involve video coverage and recording of regular and special meetings. The meetings would be available on the town website.

The service will cost $800 a year, plus potentially a one-time cost of $2,500 for a new camera if the one already in the council chamber isn’t adaptable to the task.