Mayors Explain Technology Advances
FAYETTEVILLE, SPRINGDALE COMMIT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO UPGRADES
Saturday, November 7, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE — Technology is where local cities are putting their money to more efficiently provide services, two local mayors told a state legislative committee Friday.
Both Fayetteville and Springdale are committing thousands of dollars toward technology upgrades that will improve communication across all platforms.
Springdale is considering a new emergency warning system for its residents to alert them of dangerous weather and other conditions, Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse told the Arkansas House Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology on Friday. The House committee met at the Fayetteville Public Library.
"We're trying to automate some of these processes and make them easier for our citizens," said Jesse Core, a Springdale City Councilman and a member of the city council's technology committee. The Springdale City Council is exploring an emergency warning system that will allow residents to customize how they want to be notified -- text message, e-mail, mobile phone or land line phone.
"We hope to have a contract to present to the council by spring," Sprouse said.
The idea clearly raised the interest of representatives in the room.
"I'm assuming what you're proposing could be made available at the state level," remarked Rep. John Lowery, D-El Dorado.
In Fayetteville, Mayor Lioneld Jordan is asking the city council to add nearly $500,000 to various technology related improvements next year. Some of these upgrades are intended to improve efficiencies within departments, while others are designed to aid services like communication.
The city will launch a series of informational videos to be posted on Fayetteville's Web site and appear on the city's Government Channel that will address topics like Fayetteville history, volunteerism, along with business and educational opportunities. Since Jordan took office, he's focused on making the city Web site more user-friendly and added information when it comes to meeting agenda items or staff contacts.
"People want to know what their government is doing," Jordan said.
But maybe where Jordan has received the most mileage when it comes to communication has been his consistent posts to Facebook.
"I thought, nobody's going to read this. Nobody's going to care," Jordan said of his early days on Facebook when his friend list was a paltry 300. It has ballooned to about 4,700.
"Things like this, all that stuff, is one of the most important things cities can do," said Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett. "And it can be done for very little cost."
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