City’s website earns Top City Government Website Award

Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today that the city’s website – which underwent a complete redesign, including new features, last year – has been selected for Juggle.com’s Top City Government Website Award. According to correspondence from Lauren Taggard, the awards editor, the site was selected after a review of more than 3,000 government portals. The awards panel selected Warwick “after assessing your site’s impressively rich information, useful services, and excellent visual design.” The site includes direct links to agendas and minutes for every board and commission posted at the Secretary of State’s office; a community bulletin board; online applications for municipal employment opportunities; a detailed legislation archive; details and resources for every village in Warwick; and real-time traffic and weather reports. Since last summer, residents have been able – for a 2.5 percent transaction fee – to pay property, motor vehicle, and tangible tax bills online. Last month, Avedisian announced that utility bills – water and sewer usage fees – can now be paid online as well. In addition, a wide range of intranet-based programs allow departments to share documents, collaborate on projects, and offer residents the ability to submit service requests directly to departments and divisions. These initiatives are expected to result in tens of thousands of dollars in savings each year. “Bob spent a great deal of time to make sure that this site met our ongoing goals of open government, making it more convenient for residents to do business with the city, and offering as much information online as possible so people visiting the site can learn about city services, programs, policies, and cultural, historical and recreational points of interest,” Avedisian said. “I’m very pleased that his efforts have been recognized.”