Jerome Township will soon have a new and improved website.
Director of Departments Douglas Stewart said Tuesday that officials have “hit a ceiling” with the current software.
“We’ve been really limited by our current site,” he said.
Administrative Clerk Taylor Hoover presented the trustees with a proposal to invest in developing a new township website.
Hoover said a full redesign of the site will cost between $15,000 and $19,000 depending on which package the trustees select.
Stewart said he understands “it’s an investment,” but feels as though the current website is becoming a hinderance.
He noted that Hoover and Administrative Clerk Sydney Herbert regularly spend hours fulfilling public records requests for information that could be accessible on a website.
“It’s a compounding effect,” Stewart explained.
Trustee C.J. Lovejoy agreed.
While the proposed cost is “a lot of money,” Lovejoy said he feels a new site will be “more profitable” by “giving residents what they need faster.”
Trustee Chair Megan Sloat echoed their comments.
She noted that she has worked with Hoover and Herbert in attempts to update the current website. However, Sloat said she has realized that the software simply does not offer many of the capabilities needed to service residents in the way the township desires.
“I mean, we’ve kind of hit a dead end,” Sloat said.
Hoover said she talked with three web developers that specialize in creating sites for governmental entities. Her presentation focused on a package offered by Granicus, a company she said is responsible for more than 4,500 sites between the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
Aside from the features and services offered by Granicus, she noted that it was the most affordable package available.
Hoover shared a number of features that would be incorporated into the new website.
She emphasized the inclusion of a dedicated page that will list all trustee, zoning commission and board of zoning appeals meetings. On that page, residents will be able to view agendas, minutes and video recordings of each meeting.
Hoover said it would make the information much more accessible to residents, who may struggle to find each item on the current site.
The website would also have an upgraded notifications system.
As of now, Hoover said those interested have an option to enter their email address to receive meeting notifications. However, it does not solicit the residents’ names or allow them to specify which notifications they would like to receive.
A site created by Granicus would ask individuals to enter their first and last name along with their email address.
From there, they would receive an email that allows them to select which type of notifications they do and do not want to receive, as well as how frequently they would like them to be sent.
Recipients would have the option to unsubscribe at any time.
The site will also have several search features.
Hoover noted that Jerome Township’s current website has no search feature. The new site would have a search bar that can search either within the township site or perform an internet-wide Google search.
It will also feature a “service finder” with drop-down menus that assist residents in finding specific information.
Additionally, the site will have a “geo finder,” which Hoover described as similar to a Frequently Asked Questions page. Based on where a resident lives, it will list voting sites, elected officials and contact information, along with other information.
Hoover also noted that Granicus offers features that will make the site ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, including options to assist individuals with visual or hearing impairments.
Aside from new options visible to residents, Hoover said the backend of the new website will be much more efficient.
She noted it will allow administrators to push messaging on the website directly to Jerome Township’s social media pages.
“It just saves us time,” she said.
Hoover added that Granicus has a 24-hour customer care line available in the case there are any issues with the website. She said representatives from the company have been “very responsive” so far.
Each trustee said they are in favor of investing in a new website.
Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell said the cost fits within the township’s budget and can be spread over multiple accounts to ensure no single area is adversely affected.
The trustees voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Granicus for the redevelopment of the township’s website.
Caldwell said the board could review packages and select its preferred option before including a price allotment in future resolutions.
“Anything would be a huge improvement,” Craft said.