PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In its sixth year of recognizing outstanding Web sites, MuniNet Guide & Review has selected Philadelphia as one of its "Top Picks" among government Web sites in the country.
"With links like `Find a Job' and `My Recreation Center,' the City of Brotherly Love caters to the full gamut of individuals' needs," MuniNet stated in its most recent issue. "Like any noteworthy municipal site, Philadelphia provides an array of information to make its constituents' lives simpler, including step-by-step details on how to obtain a building permit, information on cars available for auction, and a way to pay parking tickets online."
"The City of Philadelphia's Web site has come a long way by following Mayor Street's vision to provide residents and businesses with a dynamic online resource for interacting with the city," said Dianah L. Neff, Chief Information Officer, City of Philadelphia. "In the last two weeks, the Board of Revision of Taxes has unveiled brtweb.phila.gov and the Department of Revenue has launched a site for tracking city taxes at www.phila.gov/revenue."
Mardee Alvaro, editor of MuniNet Guide & Review, said that over the past few years, municipal governments have improved how they interact with those they have been entrusted to serve.
"While the overall sophistication of Web sites continues to increase, the main trend we witnessed over the past year is a heightened focus on customer service," said Alvaro. "More than ever before, citizens are being treated like valued customers, and this shift is evident online."
This year's "Top Picks" for county or local government Web sites offer several basic elements, including budget and financial information, opportunities for two-way communication, economic development materials, and online service delivery. They also possess "something extra" in terms of style.
MuniNet Guide & Review is a leading national Web site covering municipal-related content on the Internet. MuniNetGuide.com is an online guide and directory to Web sites for state, county and local governments and other municipal-related matters, including municipal investment and research, municipal bonds, regional economies, urban development and local public policy.
MuniNet provides a searchable online database of municipal and related Web sites with more than 7,500 listings of Web sites that pertain to state and local governments, agencies and related organizations. In addition, MuniNet publishes a hard-copy newsletter and annual Site Directory.