Community members and city staff will get a new look at Orinda in a few months when the city unveils a new, more user-friendly website.
The city council unanimously authorized a contract with Civic Plus for website design and hosting. The $33,597 price tag, which has already been budgeted, will cover the cost of the website design and includes $6,606 for the first year of hosting. Civic Plus is a company that specializes in government website design and technology.
The Civic Plus product is 100 percent customized, will integrate with Accela and Open Government programs, and most importantly, will allow staff to perform live web editing utilizing drop and drag features. It will provide platforms that are specifically designed to work on different types of devices, from desktop computers to cell phones. Other localities that are using Civic Plus include Morro Bay, Healdsburg and Oak Brook, Illinois.
Council member Amy Worth pointed out the benefits of a company that has already designed 2,000 websites. Civic Plus won hands down, she said, compared to other companies explored. Training, consultation and a 24/7 help line will be provided by Civic Plus. The city does not employ a either a full-time or part-time information technology staff.
The new website will not replace everything currently used by the city. Box, the program Orinda uses for thousands of documents, will remain, and the Parks and Recreation Department has specific needs that require a separate website.
The timeline for the new website is typically 16 to 24 weeks from website optimization to going live. Every four years, the company provides a full refresh of the website, which is not a full redesign. -Sora O'Doherty
The city council unanimously authorized a contract with Civic Plus for website design and hosting. The $33,597 price tag, which has already been budgeted, will cover the cost of the website design and includes $6,606 for the first year of hosting. Civic Plus is a company that specializes in government website design and technology.
The Civic Plus product is 100 percent customized, will integrate with Accela and Open Government programs, and most importantly, will allow staff to perform live web editing utilizing drop and drag features. It will provide platforms that are specifically designed to work on different types of devices, from desktop computers to cell phones. Other localities that are using Civic Plus include Morro Bay, Healdsburg and Oak Brook, Illinois.
Council member Amy Worth pointed out the benefits of a company that has already designed 2,000 websites. Civic Plus won hands down, she said, compared to other companies explored. Training, consultation and a 24/7 help line will be provided by Civic Plus. The city does not employ a either a full-time or part-time information technology staff.
The new website will not replace everything currently used by the city. Box, the program Orinda uses for thousands of documents, will remain, and the Parks and Recreation Department has specific needs that require a separate website.
The timeline for the new website is typically 16 to 24 weeks from website optimization to going live. Every four years, the company provides a full refresh of the website, which is not a full redesign. -Sora O'Doherty
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA