by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
Greater efficiency. Speed. Interactivity.
Those are just some of what can be expected from a new city website. Information about city services, elected officials and upcoming events will soon be a click away with plans for the city to unveil a new website next month.
The city has been working with Civicplus, a website design company, to upgrade the city’s website. The company designed the City of St. Cloud’s revamped website. For about the last six months, staff members have provided information to Civicplus and reviewed design samples to determine what works best for the city.
St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said staff is eager to make the transition. She admitted there is also some nervousness about adapting to the new site. City staff started training this week on how to maintain the site. All are ready for something new.
“We hope to have it up my mid-October,” Weyrens said.
City council members in March authorized spending between $16,000 and $18,000 for the redesign of the website. Possible funding sources include the city’s refuse fund. St. Joseph’s finance director said the cost of the site is unknown until it’s finished and the company submits an invoice.
Weyrens said some of what residents can expect to see include more photos of the city, social-media elements, areas to submit feedback as well as tabs for residents to pay bills for different services.
City council member Renee Symanietz is happy to see improvements taking place. It’s the first time the city’s site has been updated, she said.
“I think the website will be more user-friendly to the public and provide easier access to documents and information,” Symanietz said. “More interactive. It’s going to be so much better than the current website.”
Other features Symanietz said she would like to see on the website include the ability for local businesses to advertise and a map of the city.
