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990804 Regular Council AgendaTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG' COUNCIL AGENDA WEDNESDAY — August 4`h, 1999 — 2:30 P.M. ORDER OF BUSINESS: A. Adoption of Agenda B. Closed Session C. Presentation by Mr. Bob Reynolds, Allmat & Associates — Compensation Review D. Reports 1. Financial Systems Up -Date 2. Postings for Customer Service Centre Representatives CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG STAFF REPORT TO: David Morris, CAO DATE: August 3, 1999 FROM: Director of Corporate Services FILE: C.transitionteam SUBJECT: Financial Systems Update NUMBER: C99002 PURPOSE To provide an update for the CAO and Council regarding financial systems. BACKGROUND Section 4.2.8 of. the Allmat & Associates Organizational Report dated April 1999 states "... all financial accounting requirements be consolidated for the corporation and any and all systems which cannot become interactive or seamless towards the transferring of data be terminated at the most appropriate time. This is another area of substantial savings for the corporation upon its completion. " A Financial Systems Team is currently assessing the systems in place and working on a expeditious solution to providing financial support for the corporation and a possible Line Distribution Corporation and Retail Affiliate for utility services. There are currently four systems in place with a desire to converge all systems into one to maximize efficiencies. Parks and Rec is using Accpac and Info2000, PUC is using Harris and the Town is using the Molnar system for accounting purposes. The PUC has scheduled training to begin in September to introduce a new version of Harris that they are planning to implement before the end of the year. COMMENTS Ideally, Parks and Rec books should be converged with the Town's immediately, however, the Molnar system (Town's software) does not have an accounts receivable module, therefore, it is more efficient to continue status quo until a Great Plains platform can be established. The general ledger accounts for the Great Plains financial software purchased by the Town was set up prior to the above mentioned Organizational Report being adopted by Council. The effects of the Report, particularly the diminishing of Boards and Committees, has resulted in the chart of accounts no longer being compatible. Therefore, it is necessary for the Directors to review the chart of accounts and their respective reports to ensure that they will provide analysis required for business planning purposes. It is anticipated that this process will take approximately one week. Based on a format for account coding being decided upon, it will take a further two to three weeks depending on number of employees dedicated to this function before it will be operational. It will take another two weeks to set up the accounts payable and receivables to allow integration of all financial activity resulting in a final completion date of approximately mid -October. Staff Report C99002 August 3, 1999 Further investigation is also taking place to see if the Great Plains Utility module can accommodate the needs of the new Utility Corp. There are certain requirements of the utility billing system that, according to PUC staff, have not been implemented into any current utility billing software on the market. It is our goal to continue review of this very important matter with expedience and an expectation for convergence of as many systems as possible, depending upon results of the review, by the end of the year. RECOMMENDATION "THAT the Staff Report dated August 3,199 arding teems Update be received for information. " Respectfully submitted, Lynn S. Buchner, CGA, AMCT Approved by David Morris, CAO CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG STAFF REPORT TO: David Morris, CAO DATE: August 3, 1999 FROM: Director of Corporate Services FILE: C.transitionteam SUBJECT: Postings for Customer Service NUMBER: C99001 Center Representatives PURPOSE For Council to consider approval of internal postings for the positions of Customer Service Centre Representatives. BACKGROUND As recommended in the Allmat & Associates Organizational Report to direct the Town into a more customer driven organization, Council has adopted the concept of a Customer Service Centre. The Customer Service Centre is to consist of a team of cross -trained individuals (Customer Service Representatives) who will provide "a one stop centre of excellence". A Customer Service Representative job description for is attached for your perusal. It is the goal of the Transition Team to introduce a preliminary form of the Customer Service Centre (CSC) by September 201h. The primary functions to be performed at start up would include the following: • Vital statistics - burial permits - marriage licences - birth registration • Issuance of licences - lottery licences - business licences - dog/cat tags • Building permits/inspection scheduling • Land use planning • Affidavits — commissioner of oaths • General requests for information - industrial directories - tourist brochures - planning application forms - other general requests/questions • Program registration, room rentals, memberships • Utility functions Note - the hours of operation of the CSC are assumed to be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - same hours currently kept by the PUC and the Municipal Office Staff Report _ 2 C99001 August 3, 1999 COMMENTS In order to commence operations at the Customer Service Centre by September 20te it is necessary that certain events precede the opening in a timely manner. The following chart depicts the critical issues that must be addressed and their respective targeted dates: DATE ISSUES August 4 Salary ranges August 4 Approval to post Customer Service Representative (CSR) positions August 6 Information meetings for staff members August 6 Identify telephone number for call centre (CSC) August 9 Adopt a personnel policy/including a transition policy August 10 CSC renovations/reposition operational staff August 25 Customer Service Representative Training September 1 Marketing campaign September 15 Customer Service Centre signage in place September 20 Customer Service Centre open for business RECOMMENDATION "THAT Council hereby adopts the job description for Customer Service Representative as presented by the Transition Team; AND THAT offerings for interest in the positi , f-C to_ mer Service Representative shall be posted for submissions from within the Corpo do on �'gusl 6;199,9 with a closing date of August 13,1999. " Respectfully submitted, Lynn S. Buchner, CGA, AMCT proved by David Morris, CAO n CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE POSITION: GRADE REPORTS TO: MANAGER OF CUSTOMER SERVICE GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Under the direction of the Manager of Customer Service, this person shall be responsible for maintaining the efficient/accurate and timely flow of public information to customers and staff. EDUCATION: Grade 12 education or equivalent experience and/or training. Post secondary education and work experience in a similar position preferred but not required. QUALIFICATIONS: Excellent communication skills required. Must demonstrate a quick learning ability. Proficient in Windows 95 operating system environment. Ability to work with Microsoft Office 97 programs. Ability to handle cash, type and enter data accurately. Friendly and pleasant disposition and able to work with others (both public and staff. Ability to work in a multi -task environment with continual change. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist Customer Service Manager with procedure development, implementation and maintenance. Perform all clerical procedures relating to the cash functions, including handling, processing data input and banking of payments received. Maintain and perform billing functions as they relate to accounts receivables. Maintain customer master file account administration and maintenance including new, existing and final service. Program and Membership registrations along with facility scheduling, rentals and referrals. Prepare necessary permits, certificates licenses and applications. To act as a customer solutions and service provider. This entails extensive knowledge of all customer -related activities the municipality offers. Selling, marketing and packaging of new and existing products and services. 4ssist with Elections, by-law and legislative services. Responsible for the continual maintenance of municipal record management and preparation of vital statistics. Perform back-up support for other Municipal Administrative functions as deemed necessary. WORKING CONDITIONS: Usual public office conditions with the expectation of frequent interruption to answer questions and to provide information. Working conditions and hours subject to change with changing policies and procedures introduced by council. Position will require 35 hours per week on a flexible schedule. Position to require extensive training on an ongoing basis. 2 DRAFT ORGANIZATION CHART— CORPORATE SERVICES — FINANCIAL. FUNCTIONS Corporate Services Director Admin.Assistant - shared by all Directors (1) T_ - k- - records management - I Non -Financial Functions Revenue Manager of Officer Customer Services (I) Tax Customer Clerk Service Reps. f1) (5) Customer Service Centre Staff complement outlined above - Full-time - Contract/Short-Term Staff complement with current stnrcnrre - Parks R Rec. - PUC -Town Office - Public Works [IR IT A/P AIR Personnel Deputy ( (1) (1) (1) Treasurer Health (I ) R Safety (Iyr contract) (Current Contract) -misc. -payroll -roaster records -benefits admin mtnce. -collection policy 14 3 17 5 7 9 23 i utility Finance Officer (1) ( short-term )