The city of Ketchum wants to initiate better two-way communication with citizens and is preparing to launch an enhanced website to help make that happen.
The City Council heard a presentation during its regular meeting Monday from CivicPlus for website design, development and hosting services.
"We all agreed conceptually to the notion to hire (them)," Mayor Randy Hall said Tuesday.
The city will pay no more than $20,000 for the services.
A better website was deemed a high priority last year during a council planning session, but funds were not budgeted.
"We didn't know what this year was going to bring," Hall said. "We didn't want to lock ourselves down with a number that most likely would have been wrong."
The money will come out of the contingency fund budget.
CivicPlus, which contracts exclusively with local governments, plans to have a test site ready within six months. The company was chosen from dozens of others, in part because of its technological capabilities and focus on municipalities.
Michelle Wells, who presented information on behalf of CivicPlus, said people expect more from websites. The Web used to be looked at as simply an online phone book, she said.
"The Web has evolved into so much more," she said. "It needs to be part of your communication strategy."
The company will provide training, support and technological upgrades as part of the contract.
"If you're going to work for 21 weeks and come up with a website like this for $20,000, I think it's a miracle," said Councilman Larry Helzel.
City legal staff will draft a contract and present it to the council for a vote, possibly at the next meeting.
Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com
