The Chelsea City Council Monday night unanimously approved a $32,000 contract with Ann Arbor for shared information technology services for one year.

The city will benefit from the expertise of Ann Arbor's larger IT department "while limiting the cost associated with maintaining that skill set in-house,” Kim Garland, Chelsea’s administrative director wrote in a memo to City Council.

In turn, Ann Arbor may also be able to benefit by following Chelsea's example of implementing a number of effective, low-cost, open-source solutions.

During the first 90 days of the agreement, members of Ann Arbor’s staff will assess Chelsea’s current computer and technology system needs, including its business applications, security systems, software and hardware.

Garland said the cost of the contract is not to exceed $32,000 and any additional costs would be brought back to the City Council.

The contract will provide Chelsea with round-the-clock technology support, including the management of Chelsea’s website, content and technology for Channel 18, the city’s local TV station, as well as the city’s software and hardware.

For the last three years, Chelsea has hired an intern to perform these duties. The city’s current intern is expected to be hired by Ann Arbor.

Without improved support, Chelsea was reaching the boundaries of what it could achieve technically given its size and budget, Garland said in her memo to the council.

“I reached out to the City of Ann Arbor rather than pursuing another intern,” she said. “Ann Arbor was impressed by how much we were able to accomplish as a small city.”

According to the contract, Chelsea agreed to provide office space, business equipment and supplies for the person assigned to the city, who is expected to work there several days a week.

Garland said that although the contract is for one year, it's likely to be renewed.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter with AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Chelsea stories, visit our Chelsea page.