Highlighting the beauty of Harford County and its wealth of opportunities, County Executive Barry Glassman’s administration has modernized the county government website with 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 [email protected]
