Jeffersonville finds paper cuts painless, budget-friendly

Clark County

Discussion

July 4, 2009

By DAVID A. MANN The News and Tribune Sat Jul 04, 2009, 02:26 AM EDT

The city of Jeffersonville has spent almost $2,700 less on paper over the past six months, compared to the last six months of 2008.

That’s according to a report compiled by the Jeffersonville Clerk-Treasurer’s office after an Evening News request.

In January, the Jeffersonville City Council passed a resolution calling on the city to use fewer sheets of paper, specifically with packets provided to council members before each meeting. The report shows that between June 2008 and December 2008 — the six months before the resolution was passed — $6,907.43 was spent on paper. In the six months since the resolution was passed, $4,208.31 has been spent on paper — a difference of $2,699.

Clerk-Treasurer Peggy Wilder said that budgets and reports made at the end of the year do use more paper than the early months of the year — “but not $2,000 more,” she said.

She attributes the savings not just to the council’s resolution, but to an increasingly computerized office.

“I think everybody’s conscientious of the carbon footprint we’re leaving,” she said.

More items, such as internal reports, are being kept on disk, rather than paper.

However, she notes, that there are items the state requires the city to print.

“I’m encouraged. It’s a step in the right direction,” said Councilman Keith Fetz, who introduced the “paperless” resolution. “We still have miles and miles and miles to go.”

When the resolution passed, Fetz encouraged council members to use their city-provided laptop computers, rather than paper, when going through the agendas, ordinances, resolutions and other paperwork they are given before council meetings.

Only he and one other council member — Mike Smith — have done so on a regular basis.

Smith said that he still takes notes on paper, but tries to use the laptop as well.

“I’m willing to try to do whatever to save money,” he said.

Although, he admits, that his computer skills are weak — something he attributes to his age, 56.

He said he would rather take notes on paper, so that he doesn’t spend too much time hunting and pecking computer keys during meetings.

Fetz applauds Smith for at least giving it a try, rather than dismissing technology.

“We’re provided these [laptops,]” he said. “Let’s utilize them.”

Councilman Ed Zastawny said he uses his laptop from time to time when at City Hall. However, he said a computerized council packet doesn’t fit in with his routine.

He’ll pick up a paper packet, keep it in his car and then read it at various times during the day.

He said he also likes to take paper notes, so he can remember important points that come out of a meeting.

“It’s easy for me to have paper so I can read it at my leisure,” he said.