Recommendations / Civic Engagement / Big Idea # 1: Connect the Dots

Big Idea # 1: Connect the Dots

Part of the "THE FLINT CONNECTION" initiative

Civic EngagementAlbany-DoughertyUnder $250,000

Overview

Create a unified web portal for Albany-Dougherty County that provides a one-stop shop for citizens and visitors to access governmental and not-for-profit resources available through Albany-Dougherty County. The portal would help users access billing for utilities, information on local farmers markets, special events, Flint RiverQuarium activities, concerts at the Civic Center, and other community resources.

Action plan

Short-term
August 2018–December 2018: Establish a working group from the City, County, School Board, Chamber, etc. Choose people currently involved in communication and digital departments to ensure web and communication knowledge within the group. Create a priority list of websites/entities that will be linked directly to the web portal. Investigate similar communities that have unified web engagement. Research expanded use of FlexBill/current payment system for local governments to incorporate additional functionality into the web portal.
Medium-term
January 2019–July 2019: Create a Request for Proposal for services to implement the web portal. Enter into a contract with the selected vendor for creation of a unified web portal and set a project timeline for completion and soft launch of May 1. Hard launch the new Albany-Dougherty County web portal on July 1, 2019.
Long-term
July 2019–July 2020: Address a single-sign-on for individuals to use across all websites offering government services. Train employees and conduct public meetings to continue educating the community about access to information and resources through the portal. Create and implement an incentive-based communication campaign to encourage community adoption of the portal.

Expected impact

Adoption Campaign ImplementationCommunity

Tracks whether an incentive-based communication campaign is created to encourage portal adoption.

Timeframe: Long-term
Unified Web Portal LaunchInfrastructure

Tracks whether a unified web portal for local government services is launched.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Session DurationInfrastructure

Tracks how long users spend on the web portal.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Working Group FormationInstitutional

Tracks creation of the City, County, School Board, Chamber, and communication/digital department working group.

Timeframe: Short-term
User Experience RatingCommunity

Tracks portal visitor ratings of user experience.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Website Visitor CountInfrastructure

Tracks portal usage through the number of web visitors.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Portal Helpfulness FeedbackCommunity

Tracks qualitative feedback about how helpful the portal is.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Public Education MeetingsCommunity

Tracks employee training and public meetings to educate the community on using the portal.

Timeframe: Long-term
Ease of Accessing InformationCommunity

Tracks whether users find it easier to access relevant information through the portal.

Timeframe: Medium-term

Key stakeholders

City of AlbanyDougherty County Board of CommissionersAlbany State UniversityAlbany Area Chamber of CommerceDougherty County Board of EducationLocal Businesses / IT and Marketing FirmsIndividual DonorsLocal Hotel/Motel Tax RevenuesWorking Group from City, County, School Board, Chamber, etc.Selected Web Portal VendorLocal Government Information Technology DepartmentsLocal Residents with Professional Web Design Skills

Estimated budget

Total cost: Up to $39,000 for contracted services to include consultation, design, layout, and hosting fees if applicable. The cost would include professional consultation, page design, copywriting, SEO, layout, and hosting. Ongoing web hosting costs could be incurred if the City or County did not want to host locally. Cost may be reduced by engaging local IT staff from the City and County, utilizing local government information technology departments, or engaging local residents with professional web design skills.