Big Brother or big savings?

Hey county workers: don't go out gambling at the riverboat when you're supposed to be checking a sewer line in Wyoming or inspecting a building in Sycamore Township.

New technology might one day allow the county to track its employees whereabouts at all times- and save some money in the process.

County commissioners Todd Portune and David Pepper are taking keen interest in new technology being used by the Hamilton County health district. The Enquirer reported Tuesday that the health district is using digital technology to help its workers download information while in the field, put inspection reports online, and eventually allow them to travel to the their job sites without stopping into the office first.

"They get their assignments on their phone and go out on their assignments from home. The GPS tracks them," Portune said. Portune and Pepper proposed a joint motion Wednesday--without including Commissioner Pat DeWine, the lone Republican on the three-member board -- to evaluate the $17,000 software program and see if it would make sense for any county departments.

"It's great for accountability, so it enhances productivity," Portune said, noting it would also save money in mileage costs if employees didn't have to stop into the office first.

"Commissioner Pepper and I are saying this is the kind of technology we should be employing throughout the county."