Kane County Reporter

After more than a year of planning, the City of St. Charles unveiled its redesigned website and updated Economic Development portal on September 26. The website refresh is part of a phased approach to enhance engagement with the community, as outlined in the city's 2023-27 Strategic Plan.

The updated site features a modern design aimed at improving user experience and enhancing functionality. Users will find tasks such as submitting vacation watch requests and paying bills easier to complete online.

“We’ve modernized our digital presence to make access to information and online interactions with the public simpler, better and more efficient," stated Information Systems Director Larry Gunderson. Noteworthy features include the Service Finder widget, Laserfiche Public Portal, and the My Property Info application, all aimed at enhancing usability.

Highlighted features of the website include:

- **Top Tasks**: Frequently used features like job postings and leaf collection information are accessible with one click from the homepage.

- **Service Finder**: A tool simplifying the search process for users.

- **Laserfiche Public Portal**: Enables users to search documents like meeting minutes and resolutions dating back to the 1800s.

- **News Alerts**: Keeps residents and business owners informed through alerts on various topics.

- **My Property Info**: Provides comprehensive property information and insights into city services.

- **Online Forms**: A straightforward guide helps users complete forms quickly.

“The website’s visually appealing design and restructured organization of its content represent a significant improvement to its usability,” Gunderson added.

Community feedback played a vital role in the redesign process. Prelaunch feedback from various stakeholders was gathered through surveys, webinars, and public meetings. City Administrator Heather McGuire said, “This project was a community collaboration with many stakeholders. We appreciate the St. Charles community for their support and input during this project, from the initial design concept to final implementation.”

The transition to the new website domain may take up to 48 hours, during which users might still be directed to the old version. The old website will remain accessible until the transition is complete. Users are encouraged to offer feedback on the new site through the City's online feedback form.