East Texas

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

Smith County unveiled its new Web site Sunday for a pilot period as the information and technology department continues to add features.

Information and Technology Director Harvy Tanner said the Internet section for the public is about 60 percent complete, but all basic features are available to citizens. He said the new Web site is designed for easier access and improved service.

Terri Gerber, an IT staff member who is implementing the new site, said the department researched the top 25 percent of large Texas counties to identify where the Web site could be improved. During the past eight months, the department has been incorporating the "best of the best from each for a better total structure" to the Web site, Tanner said.

Ms. Gerber said the process to complete the site, by adding specific individual options for each department, will be ongoing throughout the year, but most department sections should be nearly completed by February.

She said the county is using current technology within the new site so enhancements can be made. Though the navigation is completely different, Ms. Gerber said she and Tanner hope citizens will adjust to the new site quickly.

"We took the best practices throughout the state," Ms. Gerber said. "It's organized with service in mind, the graphics are better and all that takes time."

Although it took eight to get the Web site ready for piloting, software updates to create the new site cost just $2,400. Tanner said the department researched other options that ran costs into the thousands of dollars but chose a process that "gets more bang for the buck."

Tanner said during the process, the department took public interest and suggestions for the site into consideration and will continue to do so during the piloting phase. He said on the bottom of every page, the link comments@smith-county.com can be used by the public to ask questions and give input on how the county Web site can better serve county employees and customers.