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City manager recommends Neapolitan Labs for website overhaul; PBX phone change could save $1,044 monthly
Summary
City staff recommended Neapolitan Labs to replace the city website for improved backend usability and features; staff also proposed switching departments to an internet-based PBX phone system, estimating roughly $1,044 in monthly savings citywide.
City staff recommended updating Denison’s website and moving multiple departments to an internet-based PBX phone system to reduce costs and improve functionality.
In a presentation, the city manager said staff tested three website vendors. "Neapolitan Labs would be better suited for what we're looking for here at the city," the manager said, noting the platform’s ease of use for staff and features such as automated agenda posting and time-limited banners. Annual hosting under the recommended vendor was presented as roughly $2,000 per year compared with current hosting costs in the $1,560 range.
Separately, staff presented a proposal to convert departmental phone service to a PBX model through Western Iowa Networks. The city manager said the change would consolidate trunks and route calls to preferred desk phones or cell phones when staff are out of the office. Staff estimated monthly savings of about $1,044 across city departments with a small increase at the library where Frontier charges long-distance fees irregularly. Police emergency infrastructure was to remain on a separate system.
Council members expressed support for staff recommendations and asked staff to proceed with contract details and implementation planning.
Why it matters: a new website and phone system aim to improve public access, internal efficiency and reduce recurring costs. Staff will return with contracts and transition plans.
