Members of Oak Harbor City Council decided not to immediately buy themselves $11,500 worth of laptop computers, with spiffy leather carrying cases, because they don’t have the money right now.

Tuesday night, the council discussed former City Administrator Thom Myers’ proposal that the city purchase laptop computers for each council member. Myers resigned from his position earlier this year.

In the past, council members have had problems receiving e-mails from city staff because of compatibility problems.

“It would help unify what kinds of equipment council has,” said Connie Wheeler, city clerk.

Perhaps more importantly, Wheeler said the city would like to work toward paperless council agendas. The large packets take a lot of time and cost a lot of money to prepare. If the council each had the same computer, the agendas could easily be e-mailed to them.

Several of the council members, however, said they didn’t want to give up their print outs of council agendas, which they find easy to read and write notes on.

The other problem is money. Finance Director Doug Merriman said the council is one of two city departments that is over budget. The council has a $78,000 budget for 2005 that includes salaries, benefits and travel. The travel budget is $14,000, but the council already spent $20,500.

Councilman Eric Gerber suggested that the council freeze their own spending for the year.

“We require every other department to stay within budget,” he pointed out, but the other council members chose not to act.

The council didn’t seem united as to whether they all even wanted or needed laptop computers.

“Buying computers right this second would be a waste of money because the learning curb for everyone will be very steep,” Councilman Richard Davis said.

Councilwoman Sheilah Crider said there are other, cheaper alternatives to buying seven new computers.

“The city shouldn’t have to spend $12,000 for us,” she said.

Nevertheless, Councilman Larry Eaton made a motion to purchase the computers and Councilman Danny Paggao seconded the motion.

The council ultimately tabled the motion after Crider pointed out that they are already over budget.

Yet Wheeler said the city isn’t giving up on the ideas of moving toward using less paper in printing agendas. She said the city’s printer can scan an agenda as a “pdf file,” which can be sent electronically and read by anyone with a computer.