Hartford.gov has been recognized by Juggle as one of the top city government websites in the state of Connecticut. Below you'll find an interview with Sarah Barr, Director of Communications for the City of Hartford.
- Hartford.gov is a top-notch web portal; what has been your role in its development?
As Director of Communications, I am responsible for the overall content and "look" of the website.
- Can you summarize the history of Hartford's web portal?
When I came on board with the City in January of 2005, our web presence was not that strong and needed to be much more user friendly. By working with the websupport team at Hartford Public Library and now also with our IT experts in MHIS (Metro Hartford Informational Services), we have installed much more updated software, more detailed content, more interactive content, more video, photos, more links, and now our residents can even pay taxes on line.
- What are the overarching objectives of Hartford's current e-government initiatives?
E-government is essential. Like I stated above, taxpayers can now pay online.
- From a marketing standpoint, what are some of the strategies that you have utilized to draw attention to the information and services provided by Hartford.gov, both on- and off-line?
Hartford is celebrating its 375th anniversary. Our website is the home for events etc. Through social media, news releases, electronic newsletters etc, people are asked to go to the website for additional information. We do this with a number of other initiatives a well including our efforts to be a green city.
- How has citizen feedback influenced the development of Hartford's e-government services?
Residents are essential for the evolution of our website. Through our 311 non emergency phone line and email, suggestions are often shared. It could be as simple as an outdated phone number that we missed when we updated our phone system, it could be a link that is not active for some reason and needs maintenence--- our residents can help be an extra set of eyes to help the city be the best source of electronic information that it can be.
- What is the most-used feature or service on the site?
Depends on the season. If it is tax time, the finance pages are the most used. If it is back to school, hartford.gov is the go-to portal to get to our school system's website. We highlight parking bans, so if there is a snowstorm, we are an outlet for that information as well. During this past summer, it has been the Hartford 375 events and our summer recreational offerings.
- What has been the biggest hurdle in developing and/or maintaining Hartford.gov, and how did you overcome it?
It is a constant challenge for most government websites to be maintained, serviced, and updated because it takes manpower and time to do this. These are difficult financial times so more city governments and departments are doing "more with less." Here in Hartford, we have a team system/partnership in place through the Communications Office, Department editors, Hartford Public Library's websupport team and our city IT folks.
- Your language tool is an innovative feature that allows greater accessibility – how have citizens responded to it, and how often is it utilized?
There are 65 different languages spoken in the City of Hartford. Between our language tool and our 311 language line, we try to disseminate as much information in as many languages as possible to best service our residents and visitors.
- Where do you see e-government heading in the next 2-3 years? Are there any exciting new features or services currently in the works for Hartford's web portal?
We look to expand upon our interactive services. Right now, for instance, users can watch our government cable access television channel via the website. However, we'd like to add an "on demand" element to that. More exciting features will be added as we finish our migration to sharepoint and increase server capacity.
- What else that you would like to tell us about Hartford.gov?
It is amazing how much Hartford.gov has grown in just a few short years. I truly feel that more people will be getting their information online and do more e-government transactions. Its a technical evolution and the City wants to continue to be part of it.