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HomeMy WebLinkAbout940138.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE INFORMATION SERVICES SECTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Director of Finance and Administration has prepared and presented to the Board of County Commissioners the revised Information Services Section of the Weld County Administrative Manual, as attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and WHEREAS, the Board deems it advisable to approve the Information Services Section of the Administrative Manual and further, to incorporate said section into the Administrative Manual. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the abovementioned Information Services Section of the Administrative Manual be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that said Information Services Section shall be incorporated into the Administrative Manual and published by the Director of Finance and Administration for dissemination to all County Departments. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following voteon the 26th day of January, A.D. , 1994. BATTEST: lizekitah WELDD OF TYUNCY ORADISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO � Weld County Clerk to the Board ,A, 4J OA )i),(9 9 W. H. Webster, Chairman ✓/C BY: �ty jerk to th ------)51-19.Hall,lerk to the Board Dale Hall, Pro-Tem APPR7 AS TO FORM: ''l. , 7xter ,z:(4 County Attorne L. Harbert Barbara J. Kirkme er 940138 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE MISSION STATEMENT 2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 4 GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE 5 USERS 6 INFORMATION SERVICES/SCT CORPORATION 8 INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE 11 940138 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT DEPARTMENT MISSION DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 2 DEPARTMENT MISSION The mission of the Weld County Information Services Department is to provide all county departments with computing and information services support which meets or exceeds their expectations. This mission is accomplished by playing a leadership role in county-wide strategic planning for information systems, user community involvement, and innovative uses of technology in meeting county needs. The Information Services Department works to expand and enhance the quality and quantity of its services, and plays a key role in facilitating the county's utilization of technology in order to improve its services to the public at the lowest cost possible. Information Services will fulfill this mission by organizing in the most effective manner, by staffing with the highest quality professionals, by a continuing outreach program of working with and involving users, by competent and visionary management, by the application of proven methodologies, and by a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies and how they apply to local government functions. The Information Services Department is guided and directed by the goals and objectives established by the Governance Committee, the Weld County Director of Finance and Administration, and the Board of County Commissioners. In addition, Information Services provides leadership in the critical review of plans and progress, and the assessment of goals and objectives in the light of new technology and the changing needs of the county. The Information Services Department is a service department and must provide its services in the most effective manner possible. The department's success is basically determined by the reactions of its users. The department solicits the reactions, comments and suggestions of its users, and incorporates these, where possible, into its service delivery. The department is flexible in its organization and staffing in order to accommodate the changes that occur in technology and in the requirements of county departments. This includes a regular review of organization, positions and their descriptions, and the nature and types of services provided in order to be prepared to meet these ever changing needs. This also includes a regular review of all policies and procedures to ensure that these are supportive and responsive in providing the required services to meet the current needs. 940139 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Board of County Commissioners: Provide overall direction to the information services function by formally adopting and approving policies and guidelines for information services functions. Information Services Governance Committee: The Weld County Information Services Governance Committee was established by the Board of County Commissioners and is advisory to them to recommend computer and information systems policies and procedures for the county. The committee's responsibilities are to: A. Recommend information services policies and procedures. B. Provide a forum for recommending priorities and service levels. C. Serve as a communication link between information services and the user community. Users: A. Ensure that information services requested by and provided to them are consistent with the efficient and effective use of their resources. B. Ensure that all members of their department adhere to all Weld County related information services policies and standards. SCT Corporation: A. Via a facilities management contract, is responsible for providing or being involved in all information service activities in Weld County and for operation of the Department of Information Services and the Information Services Center. B. In conjunction with the Information Services Governance Committee, recommend priorities, coordinate the allocation of resources, and coordinate county-wide information service activities in Weld County. 940139 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 4 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Based upon recommendations from the other participants in the information services management, the Board of County Commissioner should: 1. Formally approve and adopt policies and guidelines for information services in Weld County. The principal policy should be to develop and operate only those systems which satisfy county needs in an effective and efficient manner. 2. Approve long- and short-range information system plans and their implementation: the long-range plan approved by the board shall act as a master guide for setting annual priorities. 3. Review and approve specific Information Services Department proposals to meet the county's information processing needs. 4. Approve policies and procedures for the effective utilization of information resources by county departments. 5. Approve the funding of information services resources within the capacity of Weld County. 940138 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 5 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE The following specific duties will be assigned to the Information Services Governance Committee. 1. Monitor the information services function overall. 2. Review long- and short-range information systems plans and their implementation: the long-range plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners shall act as a master guide for setting annual priorities. 3. Review specific Information Services Department proposals to meet the county's information processing needs. 4. Identify the annual information system priorities and related budgetary impact. These priority recommendations will become an integral part of the budget process subject to adjustment during budget preparation and adoption, and upon final budget approval, will be established as part of the Information Services Department's annual work program. 5. Monitor budget and time schedules. 6. Facilitate resolution of organizational conflicts arising from the impact of new systems implementation and other information system utilization issues. 7. Develop policies and procedures for the effective utilization of information resources by county departments. 940139 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT USERS DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 6 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF USERS The specific duties and responsibilities of each user are to: General Responsibilities: 1. Designate a management level position to act as a departmental information services liaison who provides management liaison between the user department, governance committee, and the management from the Department of Information Services. 2. Serve as the advocate for any service requested by the department. 3. Insure that all department personnel adhere to county policies and procedures related to information services. Existing System Responsibilities: 4. Set priorities for user discretionary computer system maintenance requests. 5. Identify the need for changes to, or replacement of, existing systems in conjunction with the Department of Information Services. 6. Insure that all computer system resources requested by and provided to them are consistent with the efficient and effective use of their resources. New System Development Responsibilities: 7. Identify future system needs to the Department of Information Services and the governance committee in a timely fashion. 8. As needs arise, propose new development and major enhancement projects and provide justification for them to the governance committee and Board of County Commissioners. 9. Provide the necessary user staffing for all new development projects performed by the Department of Information Services for the user department. 940133 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT USERS DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 7 10. Review and approve all preliminary and final systems definitions and designs. 11. Review and approve the acceptance tests of all new systems. 12. Maintain communication with the management of the Department of Information Services in new development projects by attending regularly scheduled management review meetings. 940139 POLICIES A N D PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 8 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT VIA CONTRACT SERVICES OF SCT CORPORATION The following specific duties will be assigned to the Information Services Department: Consultation Responsibilities: 1. Serve as a technical resource to the Board of County Commissioners, governance committee, all departments, and appropriate public entities on matters pertaining to information management. 2. Participate, with technical expertise, in determining whether the county's best interests are served by specific systems. Advisory Responsibilities: 3. Keep the governance committee and appropriate departments and public entities continuously advised concerning the status of the design and operation of systems which affect them. 4. Participate on committees relating to information services in Weld County. Direct Action Responsibilities: 5. Represent Weld County to vendors of computer and data communications equipment, systems, and services. 6. Provide for the acquisition and administration of personnel, hardware, software, contracts, grants, and related services necessary to support the information services requirements of any user or Weld County in general. 7. Inform users in advance, and consider their assessments of proposed major changes to hardware, software, and related resources which may affect their systems. 8. Take action to ensure the efficient use of any information service hardware, software, staff, and related resources. 940139 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 9 9. In conjunction with the Director of Finance and Administration and governance committee, provide the management control necessary to guarantee the most effective use of information service resources in Weld County. 10. Establish and enforce county-wide standards and procedures and necessary security measures for information processing. 11. Provide for project management of computer application development activities for departments and agencies within Weld County. 12. Design, development or requisition of same, for all computer systems and enhancements to existing systems. 13. Maintain and modify existing computer systems. 14. Provide for continued operation and scheduling of existing systems. 15. Prepare project packages in response to requests from users for new development projects and feasibility studies for review during the budget and annual work plan process. 16. Identify opportunities for information systems in conjunction with users. 17. Apply a county-wide perspective to information services planning. 18. Identify and coordinate proposals that affect more than one department or system area. 19. Coordinate with the user to determine the priorities of approved information service projects. 20. Review user requests for development of new systems and major enhancements to existing areas. 21. Control and coordinate the funding to systems development projects. 9401.38 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 10 22. Provide a centralized clearing house for all computer hardware, software and service acquisition, and purchases. 23. Maintain an inventory of all computer hardware and software. 24. Establish and enforce county-wide standards and procedures and necessary security measures for centralized and personal computer systems. 25. Insure that any hardware or software solution not only meets the user's requirements but also adheres to the overall county computer strategy. 26. Develop and maintain assessment guidelines for use in hardware and software selection. 27. Facilitate county-wide sharing of related information. 9401:33 POLICIES A N D PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 11 INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE Introduction The Weld County Information Services Department has the need for continuing guidance on service policies and development plans from a body which clearly represents the elected and appointed officials of the county. "Governance" is the process of securing user input on such issues as department direction, establishing priorities, reviewing technical decisions, and providing effective user communication in systems development and daily operations. The governance process is meant to involve those persons, organizations and interests served by the computing resource in meaningful and significant participation. The functions of the Information Services Department are unique when weighed against those of most agencies within Weld County. They encompass many technology-driven activities that, at times, more closely resemble research and development efforts than the procedural or statutory activities of a county agency. The Information Services Department provides services to all elements of the jurisdiction within which it operates. Because it is service-oriented, this organization must receive continual feedback from the user community concerning direction and performance. Because of its technical nature, the Information Services Department requires unique control methods that would normally not be applied to any other county function. These controls must ensure that the best interests of the entire county are served and, at the same time, ensure that the services offered to users are relevant and cost effective. This form of control is best applied through the use of an information services governance structure. Proper control of the information services function requires two separate governance levels. On one level, the Information Services Governance Committee is responsible for general control of the continuing operation of the information services function. The second level consists of specific functional subcommittees (Finance and Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Property, and Clerk and Recorder) responsible for monitoring activities within their unique areas. The functional subcommittees and their respective departments for Weld County are shown in Attachment 1. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 12 Information Services Governance Committee: The Information Services Governance Committee is responsible to the Board of County Commissioners, but possesses some specific powers. The committee acts in a top level policy advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, and is responsible for the execution of information resources policies. To do so, the committee must first develop a strategic vision of the direction in which the development of county information resources is headed. Having formulated an overall picture, the committee must then translate the elements of their vision into specific activities, executable by means of a clearly delineated operational process. This process specifies the roles and functions of the committee itself, of the Information Services Department, and of involved departments and any other appropriately concerned county agency. Among the other responsibilities of the committee are to recommend information services policies and procedures, and to review and approve those procedures when drafted. The committee is the focal point for the prioritization process, both of the activities recommended by the planning process and those that will arise in other contexts. In addition, the committee addresses the allocation of resources within the Information Services Department, serving as a vehicle for resolving conflicts arising from competition for those resources and from the overlapping impact of new system requirements. Purpose and Structure: 1. The Weld County Information Services Governance Committee is established by the Board of County Commissioners to recommend computer and information systems policies and procedures for the county. The committee's responsibilities include: A. Establishing information services policies and procedures. B. Providing a forum for recommending priorities and service levels. C. Serving as a communication link between Information Services and the user community. 2. As a group, the governance committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and performs monitoring functions on behalf of the board and user departments. The committee members are jointly responsible for the effective use of the information services resources. 940138 POLICIES A N D PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 13 3. In order to ensure the unique controls required by information system activities, the governance committee functions at two separate levels. First, the committee operates as a whole to provide overall county monitoring of the continuing development and operation of the information systems resource. Second, each member elected official/department head represents a specific functional subcommittee which is responsible for monitoring activities within their specific areas. Role: The role of the Information Services Governance Committee includes the following: 1. Monitor the overall information services function. 2. Review long- and short-range information systems plans and their implementation: the long-range plan accepted by the committee shall act as a master guide for setting annual priorities. 3. Review specific Information Services Department proposals to meet the county's information processing needs. 4. Identify the annual information system priorities and related budgetary impact. These priority recommendations will become an integral part of the budget process subject to adjustment during budget preparation/adoption, and upon final budget approval, will be established as part of the Information Service Department's annual work program. 5. Monitor budget and time schedules. 6. Resolve organizational conflicts arising from the impact of new systems implementation and other information systems utilization issues. 7. Develop policies and procedures for the effective utilization of information resources by county departments. 940139 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 14 Membership: 1. The governance committee is comprised of five (5) voting members and one (1) ex-officio member. The voting members include an elected official/department head (either appointed or elected) from each of the functional subcommittees in the county: Criminal Justice, Human Services, Finance and Administration, Property, and Clerk and Recorder. The ex-officio member is the SCT Information Services Executive Director. The Chairperson shall be the Director of Finance and Administration. 2. The responsibilities of the Chairperson are to: A. Execute committee decisions. B. Preside at and call to order committee meetings. C. Enforce committee rules. D. Initiate and stimulate discussions of governance committee issues. E. Adjourn meetings and establish future meeting times. F. Notify members of the committee calendar. G. Distribute minutes and background information. H. Ensure minutes are taken at each meeting. In the absence of the Chairperson, he appoints a temporary Chairperson. 940138 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 15 Voting: 1. A simple majority of voting members of the governance committee is considered to be a quorum. In the absence of a voting member, his designee is entitled to vote. Each member, or his designee, present and voting has one vote. 2. An open invitation to attend all meetings is made to all elected officials/department heads. An exchange of ideas and information may take place among everyone present, but decisions and recommendations may be determined by a simple majority of members serving and voting. Meetings: 1. The governance committee meets on a monthly basis, or as necessary, at a time and location as determined by the members. 2. The Information Services Department submits to the governance committee for its approval the procedures to be followed by the department's staff, the functional subcommittees and the governance committee for the development of the long-range strategic plan. 3. The Information Services Department provides a monthly status report to the committee members. Information services also prepares a draft agenda prior to each meeting which is reviewed by the Chairperson, finalized and distributed before each meeting. 4. Reports prepared for submission to the Board of Commissioners will bear the signature of the governance committee Chairperson. 5. All requests by user departments for the acquisition and use of information services, telecommunications, or word processing, hardware, software, and services will conform with county computer use and acquisition policies and procedures. 94O1 nsa POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 16 Functional Subcommittees: So that every department has a voice in information services decision making, each elected official/department head (or his/her designee) shall meet periodically with the other members of that functional subcommittee to discuss issues of common concern. On an annual basis, they will compile a list of their information services priorities for the following fiscal year. The group's primary goal will be to get an interdepartmental consensus of those priorities. The person representing the group on the governance committee will present the priorities to the committee, which will then merge them, along with those submitted by the other functional groups, into a comprehensive list for consideration during the budget process. Among the specific factors to be considered by the functional subcommittees are the time frames in which specific projects or other activities can be carried out, the cost considerations involved, the staffing requirements, and the subsequent maintenance activities. In addition, these subcommittees serve as reporting vehicles from the departments within their respective functional area, channeling that information up to the governance committee and funneling information from the committee back to the departments. Purpose and Structure: 1. The functional subcommittees (Criminal Justice, Human Services, Finance and Administration, Property, and Clerk and Recorder) are established to support the functions and activities of the Governance Committee and to ensure that every department has a voice in information services decision making. 2. The functional subcommittees meet periodically to discuss issues of common concern and, on an annual basis, address the issues of priorities based on the goals and objectives of the county regarding information services. 3. The responsibilities of the functional subcommittees are to: A. Identify information systems needs with each member department and prioritizing these needs to develop and update the long- range strategic plan. B. Recommend appropriate actions to the governance committee concerning system development and maintenance. 940133 POLICIES A N D PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 17 C. Ensure that resources necessary for the successful implementation of systems are made available by user departments. D. Resolve conflicts among user departments relevant to implementation of systems. E. Ensure that user department systems design decisions are made in accordance with annual information system work programs and approved project schedules. F. Interact with Information Service Department management regarding operational concerns such as production schedules and information system procedures. G. Provide regular progress reports to the governance committee regarding system implementation and other projects. H. Maximize coordination of information system applications and systems among user departments. 940138 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION INFORMATION SERVICES SUBJECT INFORMATION SERVICES GOVERNANCE DATE January 31, 1994 PAGE 18 ATTACHMENT 1 FUNCTIONAL SUBCOMMITTEES FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION: Accounting General Services Board of County Commissioners Clerk to the Board County Attorney Finance Personnel Communications CRIMINAL JUSTICE: District Attorney Office of Emergency Management Sheriff Useful Public Service HUMAN SERVICES: Health Human Resources Social Services Extension Ambulance Service Housing Authority PROPERTY: Assessor Building Inspection Engineer Planning Treasurer CLERK AND RECORDER: Motor Vehicle Recording Elections 940138 Hello