MFP Committee Discusses Technology Issues

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, July 12th at 9:30 am to consider various technology issues. The agenda items included:

1. Interagency Technology Policy and Coordination Committee (ITPCC) – 2011 Work Plan
2. Update-consolidation options and risk analysis with departmental impact of IT service level reductions
3. Report on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Launch
4. Quarterly review – Cable television issues
5. Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities – Private Projects

ITPCC

The MFP Committee accepted the 2011 Work Plan for the ITPCC. Dick Leurig, Chair of ITPCC CIO Subcommittee and Montgomery College Director Emeritus for Future Technology and Innovation Initiatives and Gary Thomas, ITPCC Staff, answered questions for the MFP Committee members regarding the work plan. The MFP Committee emphasized the importance of the Cross Agency Resource Sharing (CARS) initiative during this discussion. In September, the MFP Committee will receive an update from the ITPCC on county government desktop replacement.

Department of Technology Services Consolidation Options

The MFP Committee discussed the Department of Technology Services (DTS) Consolidation Options and Risk Assessment. Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer of the Department of Technology Services, gave an update to the MFP Committee. The MFP Committee decided to continue the conversation on DTS consolidation options and risk assessment in September. At this time, Mr. Emanuel will discuss staff versus contract support for DTS. During the discussion, he noted that DTS has a high track record of customer service improvements and mentioned the successful launch of the Enterprise Resource Planning system (see below).

Enterprise Resource Planning System

The MFP Committee received a report on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) launch. Several representatives from the Executive Branch attended this session including Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director; Mike Ferrara, Executive Director of Enterprise Projects, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer, DTS; Wayne Johnson, Enterprise Resource Planning Functional Project Manager and Karen Plucinski, Change Management Manager.

The ERP System is one of the three current components of the Technology Modernization Efforts (TechMod). Funded at $85 million, TechMod represents one of the most comprehensive changes in County management capabilities. It changes the way county government performs tasks such as finance, procurement, and Human Resource Management functions. It should be noted that ERP is on time and within budget.

There will be an update in September on a training schedule for councilmembers and their staff on the ERP system. At the conclusion of the calendar year, the MFP Committee will receive an update on the progress of ERP and entertain ideas on collaboration between county government and public schools regarding the ERP system.

Cable Quarterly Review

The session on the Cable Quarterly Review was attended by Marjorie L. Williams, Franchise Manager, Office of Cable and Communications Services; Joshua Bokee, Comcast; Tara Potter, Verizon and Richard Beville, RCN.

The MFP Committee received summaries from the cable providers on their activities and new initiatives relevant to Montgomery County. Much of the discussion focused on investment by the cable providers in our community. There was also a conversation on public-private partnerships and how cable providers can help bridge the digital divide in Montgomery County schools. In September, MFP will discuss the Cable Compliance Commission (CCC), cable construction inspections, as well as cable compliance and enforcement issues in general.

Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities- Private Projects

This Bill would amend the definition of public facilities to specifically exclude the construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, repair, or modernization of any privately owned building or facility. Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director, presented arguments to the MFP Committee members in opposition of the Bill. It was decided that Bill 34-10 will be redrafted with amendments and further discussion will be held at a later date.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.