Utah.Gov Website Enhancements
The Official Website for the State of Utah has been updated, with new features that aim to provide a more engaging experience and encourage users to increase their civic involvement in all state and local government issues.
Key features of the site include:
- Integration of emerging geographical detection technology to estimate the location of the user and display relevant location specific information, including local meetings, local government Web sites, local school and library information, local park information, and available local online services.
- Better usability with more explanation provided for each main menu item and one-stop search for all government agencies, online services, and more than 50,000 government forms.
- Extensive use of Web 2.0 technologies including: aggregation of 27 state blogs and more than 100 Twitter accounts, helping users quickly find and subscribe to content that interests them; the Utah.gov Facebook page; the Utah.gov Flickr photo group for users to view and upload photos; an updated Multimedia Portal, providing a hub of “channels” of video and audio files sortable by topic or agency; and a centralization of all state RSS feeds.
- Enhanced display and use of Flash technology, as research demonstrates that 97% of Utah.gov site visitors currently use Adobe's Flash software.
DTS worked in conjunction with Utah Interactive over the past two years to develop the new site design. The site is ground-breaking in the effort to help citizens find information regardless of the level of government. Thanks to all DTS employees involved, including Dave Fletcher and Bob Woolley, for the great effort to provide ease of use for our customers and citizens. View the YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Gqsbnvcjg and an article http://www.govtechblogs.com/fastgov/2009/06/utahgov-this-is-the-portal-you.php regarding the site.
Governor’s Awards for Excellence
In a ceremony on June 4th at the Capitol rotunda 24 State employees were presented the Governor’s Awards for Excellence. The awards recognize the contributions of state employees in the categories of humanitarianism, leadership, innovation and efficiency, outstanding public service, and heroism. A total of 170 nominees from a cross-section of state government departments and programs received consideration during the nomination review process. The award recipients were selected as outstanding examples of distinguished service and dedication to the citizens of Utah.
The Employee Gateway Team has been recognized with the Innovation and Efficiency Award for Excellence. This award recognizes individuals or a group of individuals who fostered innovation, demonstrated new thinking and generated leading edge programs, policies or processes.
Members of the team that have exhibited outstanding performance are Brent Cleverly, Dan Olsen, Jolet Olsen, and Gerry Satterlee. The Employee Gateway was a very ambitious project and its success hinged on critical collaboration and coordination between multiple state agencies, outside collateral agencies, DTS management and developers, and DHRM project leaders and content experts. As written in the nomination, the efficiency, professionalism, and quality outcome of this team should be a model to see how a cross functional/agency team can succeed when members are focused on a successful outcome rather than individual success.
Additionally, the Team is going to be recognized at the National Association of State Personnel Executives at national conference in July for its accomplishments. Congratulations to the Employee Gateway Team!
Kevin Van Ausdal was awarded the Leadership Award for Excellence. This award recognizes individuals who incorporate innovative strategies that hold principles of leadership development central to the way the organization functions and encourages collaboration within the community it serves.
Kevin has been recognized for his extraordinary efforts in implementing IT projects that support the business objectives of the Tax Commission, specifically the new Tax system Arches. He has demonstrated outstanding performance through his ability to bring together the business processes and technical processes for the successful outcome of the project. Kevin’s efforts and skills exemplify innovation, vision, proven leadership, effectiveness, teamwork and efficiency. Barry Conover, Deputy Executive Director of the Utah State Tax Commission, has indicated that Kevin has been able to “create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in (DTS).”
Please join me in congratulating these outstanding DTS employees.
If you have any highlights you would like to share, click on the “Do Tell Steve” link
Year End Employee Reimbursements
Please submit all employee reimbursements, such as personal long distance calls or cell phones expenses, to DTS Finance as soon as possible. The last date DTS Finance will accept these reimbursements is June 25th, 2009.
