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WEIRTON -- The City of Weirton could soon be moving deeper into the information age with proposed updates to how residents and businesses can complete certain municipal paperwork.
As part of its meeting Wednesday, the city's Finance Committee discussed a proposed resolution for a contract with Civic Plus for the purchase and maintenance "of permit and licensing software to enable fillable forms on the city's website."
The contract would cost $20,800 for the first year, and $17,000 for the second and third years. While it didn't receive a recommendation Wednesday, the resolution will go before Weirton Council when it meets Monday.
City Code Official Matt Burskey explained the Inspections Department will be a major beneficiary of the change, if it is approved, as residents will be able to go onto the city's website and fill out their business license forms, applications for new construction, inspection requests and other items online.
Those forms, then, will be able to be transmitted between departments electronically, instead of being printed out.
"It will be a huge time-saver for us," Burskey said.
Burskey said it also will allow his staff to access information through digital tablets while in the field.
It can be expanded to other uses in the future, officials noted.
Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich explained the resolution was going before council now as the contract must be signed before July 1. No funds would be expended until the next fiscal year, she said.
"It will all tie into our accounting software," she said, noting Civic Plus also maintains the AccuFund software used by the city. "They'll be able to pay online just like you can everything else in the world."
City Manager Mike Adams pointed out many contractors are accustomed to taking care of their business online, instead of having to come to the Municipal Building to obtain forms.
"That's what they normally do," he said.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh expressed concern as to whether council could approve the resolution this month, when it affects the next fiscal year beginning July 1. He said he would speak with City Attorney Vince Gurrera for clarification.
Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel, though, questioned the cost of the contract.
"I just question whether it will be worth $20,000 a year," he said.
Council will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building to consider the contract and other issues.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)