Cabarrus County’s Web site recently won second place in the national Savvy Award Competition from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association at its 18th annual award ceremony.
The new Cabarrus County Web site was created almost entirely by the county’s Communications and Outreach Office and Information Technology Services. Aimee Hawkins, communication and outreach manager, managed the Web project, including the concepts for graphic design, site navigation and content management. Computer programmers Marci Jones and Randy Edwards developed the Web site’s programming.
“We are so excited to win a national award … The Web site has many new functions including streaming video of popular Channel 22 programs and enhanced search features. We hope citizens will bookmark the Web site and use it as ongoing resource,” Hawkins said.
Cabarrus County unveiled its new Web site in February, providing a modern look to the county’s online presence while streamlining use of the site.
The main photo on the home page changes each time a user accesses the Web site. This provides a way for the county to continuously give a fresh look to the Web site while highlighting various aspects of Cabarrus County. Residents are encouraged to log on to www.cabarruscounty.us.
as their first source of information about Cabarrus County’s programs and services.
An A-to-Z index is a new feature that is designed to help Web site users find the information they are seeking in the quickest, most efficient manner. A calendar feature also has been added which consolidates meeting and event details from all county departments into one easily searchable master calendar.
In addition, Web users can sign up for a weekly e-mail newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news from the county.
Streaming video of popular programs on Cabarrus County’s own Channel 22 was recently added. Future plans call for Web users to be able to select and view specific meeting agenda items from the Web site to hear the discussion as an alternative to watching an entire meeting.
The National Savvy Awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing and citizen-government relationships. The awards salute skilled and effective city, county, an government professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations.