From Harford County government:
Highlighting the beauty of Harford County and its wealth of opportunities, County Executive Barry Glassman’s administration has modernized the county government website thanks to wordpress hosting plans, the site now has user friendly navigation menus, engaging online tools and eye-catching local images. The redesigned site at www.harfordcountymd.gov is geared to the needs of citizens, businesses and visitors, providing convenient access to information and services that are just a click or a phone call away.
“When I came into office less than a year ago, one of my objectives was to redesign the county website,” said County Executive Glassman. “I am pleased to present a streamlined site focused on our customers and their needs. My administration has also saved money by outsourcing the website’s redesign and annual maintenance.”
Navigation menus on the redesigned website have been simplified to quickly connect users with resources under the headings of Government, Public Safety, Living Here and a time-saving category called “How do I …”
Green and white icons on the homepage link to sought-after webpages including the new Permit Center, Parks & Rec, and the county’s online tools for tracking land use and development, known collectively as “Maps & Apps”.
New features include a “Get Connected” webpage that brings together all of the ways citizens can sign up to receive notifications from county government. Options include emergency alerts, County Executive Glassman’s monthly e-newsletter, and choices under “Notify me”, which sends e-mail or text messages on user-selected topics. To report issues or concerns by phone or online, click on the “How Can We Help You?” image on the homepage to access various options.
The redesigned website also brings the Office of Economic Development to a featured position on the homepage, to quickly connect entrepreneurs with valuable resources for starting or growing a business in Harford County. Also featured are links to webpages for citizens to contact County Executive Glassman and the Harford County Council.
In addition to news and videos, the homepage highlights a newly customizable calendar. The main calendar includes community events and public meetings, but users can also create a customized calendar by selecting from several available options.
Within County Executive Glassman’s administration, department homepages have been standardized with a photo and contact information for each Cabinet member. Department webpages, which were among 1,800 pages migrated from the old website, have been updated and reorganized for improved accessibility.
Last, but not least, beautiful photos of Harford County make the website more attractive, while photo and video galleries (accessible under the “How do I …” tab) feature the people and events that make Harford County an outstanding community and Maryland’s new center of opportunity.
By outsourcing the website’s redesign and ongoing maintenance to Civic Plus, a proven leader in developing effective government websites, the Glassman administration will initially save $87,000 , and save $194,000 annually thereafter.
Using the same web address as the old site, the redesigned site went “live” on October 14. However, citizen input is key to the Glassman administration’s goal of continuous improvement, so user feedback is welcome. Adjustments have already been made thanks to citizen input, including more direct access to information on county facilities, an easy-to-find contact email for website feedback (at the bottom of the homepage), and a single email address to reach all council members simultaneously. Got feedback? Please call 410-638-3420 or email us at citizensaffairs@harfordcountymd.gov
its a shame Gassman couldn’t find the wherewithal to keep one of the most efficient and helpful county services, named the Medicare advisors in the office on aging….the staff there, headed by Mrs. Janet Wright, offered sound advice and peace of mind to hundreds of seniors who are confused and bewildered every year as their ‘geared for profit’ prescription medicine plans are juggled and altered turning into nightmares for folks who are strapped for funds already …truly its a disgrace, and I’ve heard the reasons, and they are bullshit…the county had a group of advisors, they helped a ton of people, and because of $$ spent elsewhere, the office is now without the help it once offered to folks who really needed it…a disgrace…
Gassman is another joke,watch out Boniface will have your job.It’s another friends deal
Bah Bah Bah
Totally agree. I contacted this office and didn’t get a reply for over two weeks. When I finally did the woman directed me to the Medicare website and their phone number. She stated they were extremely short-staffed and delayed in getting back to people. Providing this information was the best they could offer.
Glassman is worse than Craig, and I didn’t think that was humanly possible. At his current rate, he’s going to have to outsource every County service. Morale is at the lowest I think its ever been. Good employees are being forced out because they say no to Barry’s campaign donating friends. And deserving employees are being overlooked and vacancies filled with Glassman’s and Boniface’s cronies!
A new website….wow. Such an incredible accomplishment. Way to go Glassman, you are truly a servant of the people. That is exactly what this county needed. All is well and I can now sleep better tonight.
Love the new website. Easy to navigate. Streamlined access to important community information. It’s about time.
Lucky you. I can’t find a bloody thing on the new site. There are no redirects for important information, and bookmarks go out to lunch with no hope of redemption. When I ran a web site, it was imperative that any changes to information location redirected from previous locations, at least until users caught up. I had the regrettable experience of running into the new site before it was announced. No help whatsoever. Considering Glassman’s considering giving up on the job for which he was elected to try to run for another office, I’m not surprised there’s no attention to detail in the new site. The grunts have only as much professional pride as their boss.