News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, July 25, 2011

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The city of Augusta spends thousands on paper and office supplies each year. Some commissioners say it's time to go high tech with iPads.

The move is meant to slash the annual $500,000 paper and office supply budget.

"It's just the right thing," Commissioner Bill Lockett said. "Everybody is doing it. We need to do it."

The city boasts 2,700 employees. Lockett says the city should start with elected officials, department heads and other designated staff members.

"It may save money," Commissioner Jerry Brigham said. "But I think it is going to be very costly to start."

The iPad suggestion is part of a growing laundry list of ways to save money. The ideas were simply received as information at local committee meetings.

"We are serious," Lockett said. "We may have received it as information, but that is not the end of it."

Some are convinced embracing new technology will help ease the looming budget battle that could end in layoffs.

The city administrator will not rule out another multi-million dollar budget hole this year. Commissioners are against furloughs or tax increases. Commissioners are having to get creative. Official budget talks begin the first week of September.