The City of Marysville launched its newly redesigned website on Thursday, May 12. The site features a dramatic new look and improved accessibility to the information residents, business owners and visitors need most.

The switch from the city's former website to a new dynamic site, designed in cooperation with government website experts at CivicPlus, will continue for several days ahead as employees work to finalize the transition.

The city's old web address of http://ci.marysville.wa.us is no longer supported, and users are encouraged to update online bookmarks to http://marysvillewa.gov.

The information on the site is broken down into categories for residents, businesses and visitors. There's also an "I Want To" category, which provides direct links for specific information and transaction instructions. As with the prior website, residents will be able to report graffiti, potholes and other problems through online forms, only now they will also be able to report these concerns on the go from smartphones. A downloadable app for iPhones is already available through the iPhone store, and an app for Android-powered phones will be released later this year.

Mayor Jon Nehring says the team redesigned the site from the citizen's perspective.

"Our website is an excellent way to build good relationships with citizens and make visitors feel welcome," Nehring said. "The new design allows us to present information in a smart and efficient way, whether that information is department-based or service-based. Making information easier to find is a continuing priority as the new site evolves."

Customer service and convenience is the focus of the project, added Doug Buell, the city's Community Information Officer and website manager.

"This redesign has been months in the making, but we wanted to make sure that we got it right for the benefit of our residents," Buell said. "We chose CivicPlus from among three vendors because they were the right partner with the right design and technology base to provide the quality service our citizens deserve."

Visitors will also find tools to help keep them informed about city-related public meetings, programs, news, and special events. For example, a new "Notify Me" option on the homepage allows visitors to sign up to receive emergency and special alerts, news flashes and calendar notifications via email or text message.

When accessed from smartphones or another mobile device, CivicPlus websites automatically detect and display the mobile version, then fit to display on any mobile phone. In the coming weeks, city news and information will also be able to be shared more easily using new social media links to Facebook and Twitter that will be located on the website.

The city paid $13,000 for project design and development, plus an annual $3,000 fee that covers annual round-the-clock support, maintenance and hosting services, along with a new content management system.

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