On Jan. 20, Centre Wellington council approved a single-source quote from eSolutions Group for the design and development of a new township website.
The Waterloo-based company has designed and developed the websites for over 100 Ontario municipalities.
A report from Centre Wellington’s managing director of corporate services Wes Snarr noted municipalities across Ontario are making significant, ongoing investments in web communications strategies.
Snarr wrote, “Municipal web communications are not only the most cost effective method of delivering valuable and timely information, they are increasingly impacting the image and brand of a community.
“Municipal web communications are changing the way communities engage local government by providing seamless access to services.”
Some of the goals for the new design will be to make information easier and faster to find.
In addition, the new site would comply with the Ontario Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act related to websites and web content for a new website.
Snarr added the new website requires no investment in new IT technology, as it will run on the township’s existing MS-SharePoint 2013 platform.
The only question raised was from councillor Walt Visser, who asked if the cost was included within the proposed budget.
Snarr said the budget had included a potential cost of $90,000 and this bid was $81,500.
Council approved the move without further comment.
