The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a plan they believe would increase transparency in local government, through enhancing on-line access to Prince William County information for citizens.
The plan would increase the Board of County Supervisor’s presence on the internet and would create one new communications position in the county. However, these changes would not cost county residents; costs would be offset through a reduction in number of county government newsletters annually from four to two.
County Executive Melissa Peacor explained that the advantage to online communication includes real time access to information, especially in an emergency situation. Budget information will also be able to be disseminated more directly and more frequently.
“The goal of our recommendation to you is to provide information to the citizens in the way they want to receive information,” Peacor said.
Peacor said the information would provide a “newsy” feel. She believes it will add to the transparency of Prince William County Government, but she also specified, “Transparency is the job of everyone.”
Specifically, she hopes an increased web presence would provide live updates from the Virginia General Assembly on bills affecting citizens, seasonal information and also use new media to receive community input.
Currently the Board communicates with its citizens via its cable channel, quarterly newsletters, website and social media sites, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Peacor explained that it is important that newsletters remain in some form, as there are still citizens, mainly the elderly, who do not have access to the internet or computers.
“Printed is obviously important for those people who don’t have computers or are not computer literate…so we don’t want to stop the way send out information in print,” Peacor said.
She also told Board members in the two years following the addition of the newsletters the Board of County Supervisors approval rating in terms of providing information rose from a 77 percent 90 percent approval rating among Prince William County citizens.
Peacor said over the next few years they will have to look at whether the addition of more web-based information further pleases citizens.
To fund the new media endeavor, Board members agreed that it is appropriate to take savings from the reduction of the newsletter and transfer them into employee salaries in the Communications department.
The increased web presence would require the creation of one new full-time position, estimated to cost around $40,000 per year plus the cost of benefits. In addition, another position would be upgraded to the cost of $20,000.
The expectant total is $100,000 annually, which is the allotted amount that could be secured from the elimination of two newsletters. If the final total is less than $100,000, savings could be returned to the budget.
Supervisor Martin Nohe of the Coles District explained that citizens should not expect that the county website will be “the repository for all things governmental,” and that it could not take on the responsibility of other agencies, be they state or federal.
It was also specified that the increased web presence would be used to inform citizens and not so that supervisors could promote themselves or the individual needs of their perspective offices.
Supervisors currently have websites, blogs and Facebook sites on which they can communicate with their constituents.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!