City of Flint Launches New Website

The City of Flint has this week taken a big step toward improving interaction with the public by launching a new City website.  Cityofflint.com has a new look, important information on City functions and easy to use interactive features for visitor’s to the site.  The development and launch of a new website has been a key objective of the City’s Strategic Plan, one which “provides citizens, businesses, students and visitors with timely information and updates on services.

Flint’s new website still has all of the features users have come to expect, such as online water bill and property tax payments, COPLOGIC police reporting and official report postings.  In addition, residents will have access to a calendar of events, the latest news out of City Hall and documents related to Flint’s Master Plan.  Site visitors will also have the ability to report certain issues such as downed tree limbs, water main breaks and potholes.  Other issues are expected to be added in the near future and the site has the capacity to grow and change as more online services are developed.

The most interesting element of the new website for City employees is one that visitors will likely never notice.  The website was created in a content management system (CMS) that allows for easy access and updates by employees, which means that each department will be able to directly control what is on their portion of the website.  The use of the CMS will mean information is updated more efficiently across the site more easily controlled. The element of the new website that likely will be most recognizable to citizens is the responsive design of the site, allowing for better use on tablets and smartphones.

Mayor Dayne Walling expressed his enthusiasm for Flint’s first major website update in nearly fourteen years.  “This project is in line with our vision being more customer friendly and transparent. By utilizing new technology, we are better able to serve the public. The site will continue to expand and be updated with new information, so it will be the official ‘go to’ resource for the City of Flint.”

Spud Software of Grand Blanc Township was chosen through a bid and interview process to develop the new site.  Once developed the City of Flint took ownership of the site, giving the City direct control over all aspects of the site and providing a manageable platform for the long term development of online services. The new website was launched at 11:00am today, January 8, 2015.