Soft launch of new city website July 1

The soft launch of the city’s new website will begin July 1 to coincide with the city’s 24/7 City Services initiative, according to City Manager Brenda Fischer’s latest city manager’s report.

Both the current site and the new site will be available to users through July to allow visitors to get used to the new site, said city spokeswoman LaTricia Woods.

The 24/7 City Services initiative, Woods said, can be described as a virtual city hall in which services previously requiring residents to come to city hall during business hours will now be available 24 hours a day online.

Training for staff members who manage their department’s content began Tuesday and those employees will be adding content throughout the month of June.

On Aug. 1, the city expects to have its old website disabled and the transition to new website fully completed.

With the new website, the city plans to expand its online services to include applying for employment positions, signing up for Parks and Recreation classes, submitting repair requests for city streets, reporting code violations and other services.

Also on July 1, the city will begin a one-year pilot program creating a four-day, 10-hour schedule for City Hall.