Smithville to launch redesigned city website May 12; migration deadline raises data-preservation risk

The City of Smithville plans to launch a redesigned website on Monday, May 12, introducing a mapped public service request tool, an online employment application and improved search and calendar integration — but staff warned that a hard cutoff by the current host on May 15, and the provider's lack of response to extension requests, could complicate content migration.

Assistant City Administrator Gina Pate said the new site "will still provide a Report a Concern function, and we now have an actual online employment application." She described a public service request center that will allow residents to geolocate problems (for example, potholes), upload photos and track the status of requests. Gina said staff can set rules so tasks are reassigned if an employee does not acknowledge a report within a set time.

Why it matters: The redesign adds tools intended to improve responsiveness and transparency for residents (search prioritization, calendar links, draft pages for internal review). However, staff flagged a near-term operational risk if content or registered user notifications are not migrated before the May 15 cutoff.

Gina said the City will initially host only the city calendar and then add Parks & Recreation events and a Chamber community calendar link; she also described search-training so key resources appear first. Development Director Jack Hendrix confirmed the city’s contract with the International Code Council will allow links to adopted building codes.

Cynthia Wagner, a city staff member, said staff worked with the developer Revize to preserve historical documents for five years while ensuring current documents are discoverable, and that the team will run a public information campaign to inform users how to re-register for site notifications after the migration.

Staff said Gina Pate and Linda Drummond will have administrator access and that department editors will maintain page content after receiving training. Gina described a staged rollout: launch first, then introduce additional features such as chatbots in later phases. City officials asked residents for patience noting the rollout will be a work in progress.

Next steps: The site is slated to go live May 12 if migration is successful; staff will monitor the transition, run public communications on notification re-registration, and continue training departmental editors.