By TERRY PUGH
The City of Warman is linking up with Moose Jaw, Humboldt and Yorkton in a bid to access provincial funding aimed at helping all four municipalities update their computer software system before it becomes obsolete at the end of 2029.
Warman City Council voted at a meeting on Monday, March 23 to participate in a joint Targeted Sector Support (TSS) grant application led by the City of Moose Jaw for the purpose of engaging an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) consultant. (The provincial government uses a portion of Municipal Revenue Sharing ($1.5 million per fiscal year) to fund TSS projects that strengthen municipalities’ core operational capabilities through increased regional cooperation.)
The cities currently use the Microsoft Dynamics GP Diamond software system to integrate and coordinate financial and management operations. However, Microsoft will be discontinuing updates to the Diamond software in December, 2029, forcing the municipalities to switch to a new ERP type of software that helps plan, budget, predict, and report on financial results as well as handle human resources and project management tasks.
Choosing and implementing a replacement ERP software system is complicated and expensive. In a report to the March 23 council meeting, administration noted that price quotes from three separate consulting firms ranged from $40,000 to $70,000 – simply to provide independent evaluation of available software systems. The cost of consultants to provide technical support after implementation of the new system would be over and above that.
“Administration determined the value of this phase alone did not align with the anticipated benefit, particularly as the implementation phase is expected to require the greatest technical support and financial investment,” stated the report to March 23 council meeting. “Several Saskatchewan municipalities are facing similar timelines regarding Diamond system replacement. The City of Humboldt proposed a collaborative approach to apply for TSS funding to offset consultant costs. The consultant would focus on identifying and presenting system options, allowing each municipality to independently evaluate and select a preferred solution. The City of Moose Jaw has offered to act as the lead applicant due to having an in-house grant writer, with Humboldt, Yorkton and this municipality participating as potential partners.”
A motion to approve Warman’s participation as a partner municipality in the TSS grant application was passed by council.
If the application is successful, the TSS funding would cover 75% of the total project cost, with the municipalities responsible for the remaining 25%.