By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Now featuring City Council members’ phone numbers and email addresses, the city of Salisbury launched a new website Thursday.
Still found at www.salisburync.gov, the new site increases the city’s transparency and will help residents engage with city staff and leaders, said Elaney Hasselmann, public information officer.
In addition to elected officials, the website points out how to reach leaders of city divisions and staff members heading up specific projects.
“All sections of the website, really every page, will give direct contact information,” Hasselmann said. “That’s not something we’ve done well in the past.”
And people let the city know, Hasselmann said. Email addresses and phone numbers were among top requests for the revamped website.
The new site offers meeting agendas and minutes and city budgets for the past 10 years. Live streaming of City Council members has been enhanced, and an improved calendar better organizes city events, Hasselmann said.
As additional changes are phased in, people will be able to pay their bills online and fill out forms to report potholes and broken street lights.
The city’s new one-stop shop will have a section on the website where developers and business owners can fill out forms online for new projects like restaurants and shops.
“With each phase, the site will get more interactive,” Hasselmann said.
Read more in the Post this weekend about the city’s attempt to increase accessibility and transparency.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.