Archived News

Haywood County’s website gets the job done

fr webhaywoodHaywood County’s website tied for the highest ranking in the area despite earning design scores that were sub-par.

 

Much like the administration of outgoing Haywood County Commission Chairman Mark Swanger, it performs quite well without unneeded fanfare — the website earned the highest ratings in the editorial staff’s survey for transparency and utility, and was rated outstanding in function if not in form. 

Online services, including payments, permits and property mapping scored an astonishing 4.7 out of 5, meaning that residents who need to pay property taxes, request public records, apply for building permits, or even apply for a job are just two clicks away from being able to do so. Land records and GIS resources are second-to-none in the area. 

Considering the size of the county, the number of residents the website serves, and the efficiency in which it does so, it should be comforting to know that in the largest county west of Asheville a sizeable chunk of the population is receiving outstanding service. 

Haywood and Macon are the only county governments that have invested in equipment needed to record their monthly meetings. Both county websites offer residents an opportunity to watch those meetings online just a day or two after the meeting takes place. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Council also provides videos of its governmental proceedings.  

Haywood County also earned high levels of satisfaction for its calendar function, availability of agendas, minutes, and access to employees, which isn’t much of a surprise when you consider that Swanger — a retired FBI agent who spent a lot of time investigating public corruption and won the N.C. Press Association's “First Amendment” award in 2006 — has made open government a mantra of sorts. 

Related Items

 

www.haywoodnc.net

Population: 59,868

2016-17 Budget: $95.8m

Annual website expense: $299.98

Initial website expense: $14,000

Year launched: 2008

Avg. visits/month: 61,748

Avg. unique visitors/month: 30,360

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.