1999 Strategic Communication Plan

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Direct Telephone Access — There may be some relatively small staff /equipment funding impacts related to this aspect of the SCP. The new direct inward dialing capability of the County phone system should enhance citizen access to this service, particularly with regard to non - business hours contacts. Internet Site — There are likely to be significant cost impacts associated with enhancements to the County's Website. The Information Technology Committee discussed the SCP at its August 24, 1999 meeting. A few of the more significant discussion points are listed below: • Explanation of why County Website resides on State server rather than a local one (greater bandwidth, more stable connection, greater security, relatively inexpensive) • Need to emphasize use of dynamic databases — when County info is updated in one database, automatic links make sure that updated data gets posted in every other location accessible to the public • Need to ensure that a commitment to maintaining current/accurate posted data on the site can reasonably be sustained • Need to separate technology and content • Need an information manager ■ Need access to Webmaster level technical expertise • Need to identify the most important County information elements that should be available on the Website • Need to identify who are the key audience(s) and develop Website in that context • Need to identify what information is now readily available that could be easily posted and maintained current for public access Intranet Site — This will also have additional cost impacts. The BOCC set aside $50,000 in the 1999 -2000 IT_ Plan in the CIP specifically for the "Citizen /Board Access" initiative. The Intranet site (and its tie -in to the County's Website) is already being extensively used, primarily by staff, but also by the Board and citizens. A few examples of ongoing successful applications are listed here: • Personnel section, including on -line forms, employee newsletter, training info • On -line Public Works work order processing • On -line scheduling of County meeting space • County calendar • Draft agenda materials • Expanded agenda facesheets • Citizen applications for service on boards /commissions ■ Other Communication Devices — Staff are working on a number of the elements noted under this heading of the SCP, including surveying other clerks' offices about successful measures in use elsewhere to enhance the "visuals" available to the public at BOCC meetings. For a second year, a sub - committee involving Commissioner Brown and staff developed and distributed about 50,000 sets of tax bill inserts as public information notices.