Topeka.org has been recognized by Juggle as one of the top city government sites on the web. Below you'll find an interview with Justin Birdsong, Web Designer for the City of Topeka.
- Topeka.org is a top-notch web portal; what has been your role in its development? How has the Topeka government integrated their ideas into the development?
As the Design developer I presented a new idea for restructuring the city’s previous website based on the direction of the city manager and the website committee. The new site includes panorama photos (360/180), iPod formatted job announcements, virtual tours of the zoo, and used web languages like flash, ajax, php, and .net.
- Can you summarize the history of Topeka’s web portal?
It has been through three or four overhauls/redesigns over the years. It was in desperate need of updating to utilize more customer-friendly applications and better overall usability.
- What are the overarching objectives of Topeka’s current e-government initiatives?
To assist our customers in making their interaction with the city convenient and less hectic, whether they are paying utility bills or signing up for programs and classes. As we face difficult fiscal challenges and the loss of personnel, the use of technology helps to provide those kinds of services.
- From a marketing standpoint, what are some of the strategies that you have utilized to draw attention to the information and services provided by Topeka.org, both on- and off-line?
We announced our new site at the city manager’s press conference, sent press releases to all local media, and posted slides on the City’s local cable channel message board. We also announced the launch on Twitter and Facebook, as well as in neighborhood newsletters and the city’s newsletter.
- How has citizen feedback influenced the development of Topeka’s e-government services?
Due to citizens’ needs and requests like the ability to sign up for updates on agendas, programs, job announcements, etc., we structured our e-government services to do just that. We continue to receive feedback and make improvements where possible. We continue to evaluate and research customer-based initiatives through technology so that citizens will continue to use our website as a resource.
- What is the most-used feature or service on the site?
We have found that the most utilized sites are the job opening listing, City4 streaming (which is our local cable television channel that plays our council meetings live on the web every week) and the city council agenda and minutes.
- How has the integration of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook benefited your website and the government’s connection to Topeka citizens?
It has allowed us to connect to our younger citizens using the various social media channels. These seem to be the most utilized tools to make those connections and get them involved in our community and local government. It has made our website a resource for all generations, including the rising leaders in our community.
- What are the hurdles in developing a payment portal for local utilities? What has the response been to this kind of feature?
Due to the fiscal constraints of the budget, we have been unable to identify the necessary resources to develop a payment portal. However, with that being said we do want to provide our customers and citizens with this feature. Therefore, we have outsourced this process. It has been well received and we are pleased to continue to provide such services.
- 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 Topeka’s web portal?
We believe there will be an increase in mobile apps available to the public to pay fines, utilities, etc. We plan to make sure we continue to keep our website fresh which will include a redesign and be more useful to our customers, citizens and visitors and we would like to have our own mobile app available using HTML5.
- Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about Topeka.org?
We are proud of the awards we have previously received from the National Association of Government Webmasters (NAGW) conferences including one in Denver and two in Overland Park, KS for our features on our site. We are proud of the new site and believe we have made it user-friendly with important and adequate information on the site which is very important to us. We are looking forward to receiving your award for the new site. It only reinforces our dedication to our work of making Topeka a positive and resourceful government working with the people.