TOWN OF LITTLE ELM DIGITAL ROAD MAP 2018
WHY DO WE NEED A MAP? We know where we want to go, we just need to know how to get there. Recognizing that as the use of technology is rapidly increasing and how people communicate is ever-changing, the Town of Little Elm believes it is critical to our success to develop a Digital Road Map to serve as a framework for how we use technology to communicate with and best serve our residents in a digital environment. In order to support our efforts to use our digital communication tools effectively to improve access, transparency, engagement, and become a leader in digital government in Texas, we are committed to exploring new and innovative ways to connect with and engage our residents, as well as maximizing existing tools.
DESTINATIONS OPEN GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT INDUSTRY ACCESSIBILITY
ACCESSIBILITY
We want to increase accessibility for stakeholders to access digital services and information.
Goal: Increase accessibility to Town of Little Elm digital services. Objective 1: Improve website accessibility. Strategy: Ensure website is compliant with WAI-ARIA accessibility standards.
Tactic 1: Use Site Improve to analyze website for accessibility deficiencies. Tactic 2: Update website to meet WAI-ARIA standards. Tactic 3: Routinely monitor website with Site Improve to ensure WAI-ARIA compliance.
Goal: Increase accessibility to Town of Little Elm digital services. Objective 2: Promote Wi-Fi Access throughout Town/public facilities. Strategy: Encourage resident to use Wi-Fi in Town/public facilities.
Tactic 1: Identify Town public locations with Wi-Fi access. Tactic 2: Promote Wi-Fi to-go hotspots from the Little Elm Public Library. Tactic 3: Identify areas to add/expand Wi-Fi in parks and other public areas.
Goal: Increase accessibility to Town of Little Elm digital services. Objective 3: Investigate potential new broadband providers. Strategy: Identify areas in the Town of Little Elm with limited or no broadband internet options.
Tactic 1: Survey residents regarding their current broadband options. Tactic 2: Use survey data to identify broadband needs. Tactic 3: Source potential new broadband providers.
Goal: Increase accessibility to Town of Little Elm digital services. Objective 4: Increase number of stakeholders using digital services. Strategy: Push information about digital services.
Tactic 1: Identify all digital services available to residents Tactic 2: Develop a social media campaign to encourage residents to “go digital� to get information, updates, news, and to engage with Town employees or elected officials. Tactic 3: Develop phone app.
OPEN GOVERNMENT
We strive to maintain transparency and provide open access to Town information.
Goal: Increase transparency in regard to municipal government decisions, actions, updates, services, and programs. Objective: Ensure communication of decisions, actions, updates, services, and programs is transparent, accurate, consistent, reliable, and timely. Strategy 1: Ensure access to meetings and agendas.
Tactic 1: Promote online streaming of meetings to stakeholders through digital communication channels. Tactic 2: Ensure compliance to Texas Open Meetings Act and rules regarding posting of agendas through digital communication channels. Tactic 3: Share meeting recaps through digital communication channels. Tactic 4: Develop post-meeting interview videos for Town of Little Elm Council recaps.
Goal: Increase transparency in regard to municipal government decisions, actions, updates, services, and programs. Objective: Ensure communication of decisions, actions, updates, services, and programs is transparent, accurate, consistent, reliable, and timely. Strategy 2: Provide access to Town government information.
Tactic 1: Create a series of online videos to overview departments and their functions for a virtual (limited) Citizen’s Government Academy. Tactic 2: Create a bi-annual State of the Town video message from the Town Manager. Tactic 3: Develop a microsite for the Town strategic report.
ENGAGEMENT
We want to increase accessibility for stakeholders to access digital services and information.
Goal: Increase engagement with residents. Objective: Utilize digital communication channels as means for open dialog/communication with the Town of Little Elm. Strategy: Use social media channels to reach stakeholders.
Tactic 1: Develop external stakeholder survey to gather information regarding what social media platforms/channels residents are using to get information from and communicate with the Town. Tactic 2: Analyze existing social media platforms for utilization and engagement levels by looking at likes/followers and frequency of posts. Tactic 3: Cull list of existing social media platforms to focus on mostutilized/followed accounts. Tactic 4: Establish guidelines for strategic posting to keep stakeholders engaged.
INDUSTRY
We work to communicate through digital channels using best practices.
Goal: Use best practices for digital communication. Objective: Create consistent and relevant digital communication pieces. Strategy: Develop a digital content calendar.
Tactic 1: Work with all departments on key monthly and annual events, programs, and services to push through digital communication channels. Tactic 2: Compile information collected from departments to develop a monthly and annual digital and video content calendar for the Communications Department to work within. Tactic 3: Develop video content strategy to include timeless information pieces and go live stream when necessary.