City of Fort Smith to launch new Web site in June

Russell Gibson is hoping to go live with a new and non-clunky city of Fort Smith Web site no later than June.

Gibson, head of information technology for the city, previewed a draft of the appearance and function of the new Web site during a Tuesday study session of the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

Gibson noted many times during his presentation that the present city Web site is “clunky” — and if by clunky Gibson meant old, ugly and almost 100% dysfunctional he would be 100% accurate.

The Fort Smith Web site is now more of a collection of Web sites supported by different city departments that don’t look similar, don’t share similar navigation patterns and do little to help the user understand what is available online. And assessment is according to Gibson and IT employees Kevin Brandenburg and Ben Pense.

The new look provides continuity in appearance and navigation in what Gibson described as a “one-look container,” in which one to two clicks is usually all it takes to find information.

Gibson said Brandenburg and Pense have each spent between 10-15 hours a week beginning in November 2009 to build the Web site and coordinate the layers of info needed to bring all the documents and other city services within reach of the online user.

Plans are for each city department to have four main categories in which to present information: Main page, documents, links and FAQS (frequently asked questions). Gibson said the Web site will be built so that each department can easily update content.

In his presentation Gibson remarked several times that the new modern look will present a more favorable image of Fort Smith to individuals and businesses with an interest in moving to the area.

However, Gibson later noted that all city departments are eager to be part of the new Web site except for utilities and sanitation — the two most important departments for individuals and businesses locating to the city or moving within the city.

“My hope is that when they see this (new site) they will want to be part of it,” Gibson explained. “I can’t blame them for doing their own thing and not being part of what we have now, but with the new site I hope they will pull their info to it.”

City Administrator Dennis Kelly said the utilities and sanitation departments have each spent up to $6,000 on web site development and support in the past few years and are hesitant to unplug all that without first seeing if the new Web site can handle existing online customer demand.

“They will transition into it as time goes along,” Kelly said. “But I don’t want that (separate look for the two departments) to go on forever.”