“It goes along with our re-branding efforts to project a new, refreshed image as a city,” said Interim City Manager Pete Bales.
Kansas-based company CivicPlus, which specializes in government websites, designed and created the site. The company will provide the city with system maintenance, support and hosting services. The city is engaged in a three-year contract with CivicPlus, and will make annual payments of $7,792 for the service, according to Katie Lewallen, public relations specialist.
The website prominently features the new city logo and slogan, which the city separately developed at a $19,625 price tag. The cost of that project included research, development, design and strategy. In addition to the website, the logo is being implemented across the city, including on uniforms, signage, documents, vehicles, business cards and other materials.
Discussions with CivicPlus about the website began earlier this year, Lewallen said, and a time line for a fall launch was established in April. City officials submitted to CivicPlus photos and links to external sites, such as the city’s utility bill payment system and career opportunities page.
By July, the city finished discussions on a color scheme and proposed layout. The site was functional for internal testing by late August and city staff submitted suggested changes by the end of September. Additionally, city staff were trained on making edits to the site. City council reviewed the website during a work session this month, when the site launched to the public.
Features of the site include a “Notify Me” option allowing residents to subscribe to email and text to city newsletters, parks and recreation notifications, road closure alerts and calendar items.
Other local governments using CivicPlus include Beavercreek, Xenia, Clayton, Englewood, Trotwood, Sugarcreek Twp., Lebanon, Troy, Greene County and Miami County.
About the Author