Texas Technology - Fall 2008 - (Page 30) Continued from page 14 We worked on this project from concept to budget, budget to vendor selection, and vendor selection to completion. We selected CivicPlus as the vendor. The project’s design phase was negotiated to $18,000, spanned six months and was completed in June 2008. Hosting, maintenance and support cost $600 per month. We met with CivicPlus often and gave them clear expectations, which led to a well developed product. On the Web site, we included features such as frequently asked questions, a newsletter subscription service, an events calendar, job postings and news items with RSS feed capabilities. But we wanted to do more; we wanted to get away from one-way communication and allow instant feedback and 24/7 availability. We decided to go with CivicPlus’s request tracker, which we later branded as “Hutto Listens.” This gave Web site users the ability to submit and track requests online and receive notification anytime an update was made to their request. Another unique feature that Hutto implemented was a fully functional small-screen device Web site, Mobile.HuttoTX.gov. Users could browse a portion of the Web site from smaller devices, and the information has been formatted to fit mobile devices’ viewing needs. This is something that not many other cities are doing, especially smaller cities, and we saw it as another avenue to connect with our constituents. The Web is changing the way we live, and as public servants we must grow and adapt to meet those needs. As a technology decision-maker for Hutto, being a Millennial has influenced my choices, and I tend to question the phrase, “That’s the way it has always been done.” A Future Beyond Web 2.0 As a technology decision-maker for Hutto, being a Millennial has influenced my choices, and I tend to question the phrase, “That’s the way it has always been done.” Over the past couple years, we have seen much improvement in anytime/anywhere access in the phone and computer systems for city employees and representatives. We have improved communications in all areas with our Web 2.0 and unified communications initiatives. We’ve decreased our impact on the environment through the use of thin clients and other green initiatives. The advancements have improved communication, increased department collaboration, streamlined business processes and improved overall operational efficiencies. As we move forward, I see many great things ahead: open government; greater use of Web 2.0; and more collaboration among the city, county, state and feds. But projects require support from more than just the IT department. I think as a Millennial I have to seek input from other generations and really look at things from their perspective to get the necessary buy-in. The biggest differences that I see between the Millennials and other generations is that we tend to question the motives of authority and view work as just a job. Those differences should also affect how Hutto serves its citizens. We continue to strive for more transparency, collaboration and increased efficiencies, but now we must step back and re-examine our options. I think a “green” open pasture of opportunity lies in front of us (i.e., I believe that flexible work schedules and working from home will be very important for my generation). Ultimately we are always going to be improving where we can, but if we look back at the amount we’ve accomplished in one short year with one IT person and one committee, it’s truly astonishing. When we first started our journey, it appeared as if Mount Everest stood in front of us, and now that we have finally reached the top, we can take a short break before we have to start it all over again.” N Did You Know? The city of Hutto’s Web portal, www. huttotx.gov, includes several services that are unusual for a government of its size. From a conveniently located onscreen menu, residents can pay parking tickets and utility bills online or use “Hutto Listens,” a request tracker in which citizens can report problems or ask general questions. After graduating from San Antonio’s MacArthur High School in 2003, Tim Howell received a scholarship to attend New Horizons technical school. He worked as a technology consultant from 2003 to 2007 before being hired by the city of Hutto as its IT analyst in October 2006. Howell is the Web site committee chair for the Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers (TAGITM) and is working on his bachelor’s degree in management information systems. Photo courtesy of Tim Howell 30_TexasTechnology http://Mobile.HuttoTX.gov http://www.huttotx.gov http://www.huttotx.gov
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