Meet the City of Salina, Kansas
The City of Salina is situated in the heart of Kansas, serving a vibrant community of approximately 46,000 residents. The city has earned recognition as the regional hub for cutting-edge medical services, retail trade, and arts and entertainment. Salina blends small-town charm with big-city amenities, creating a unique environment where innovation meets tradition.
Daily Detour: Outdated Technology Liability
Scott Gardner serves as Director of Computer Technology, Continuous Process Improvement, and Media for the City of Salina. He brings both technical expertise and business acumen to decisions. Scott approaches challenges from multiple angles. When it came time to address the city’s website problems, his analysis revealed three critical pain points. These issues demanded immediate attention.
The Legacy System Problem
Salina’s existing website was hosted by a large, well-known provider. The system had become a digital bottleneck. The interface looked and felt outdated. It lacked the functionality required for effective government operations.
The Vendor Sprawl Costs
The operational chaos underneath was more concerning than aesthetics. The website’s basic forms center forced the city to maintain relationships with four or five separate vendors. These vendors were needed just to handle essential government forms. None of these systems communicated with each other. This created data silos and manual workarounds that consumed valuable staff time.
The issue? Bloated costs, disconnected systems, and frustrated citizens. Citizens had to navigate a maze of different interfaces for basic government services.
The Efficiency Gap
For Scott, whose role centers on continuous improvement, the inefficiency was particularly frustrating. Form submissions required manual intervention. Vendor relationships meant separate contracts, support channels, and integration headaches. The city was spending taxpayer dollars on complexity rather than capability.
The Solution: Complete Digital Upgrade
Scott’s evaluation process focused on three fundamental questions:
- What solution offered the most current website technology specifically designed for government needs?
- Which provider would deliver superior service and ongoing support?
- What approach made the strongest business case?
About our Client
CLIENT NAME:
CHAMPION:
Scott Gardner
Director of Computer Technology, Continuous Process Improvement, and Media
POPULATION:
est. 46,000 residents
SOLUTIONS:
Other Spotlights
Meet the City of Salina, Kansas
The City of Salina is situated in the heart of Kansas, serving a vibrant community of approximately 46,000 residents. The city has earned recognition as the regional hub for cutting-edge medical services, retail trade, and arts and entertainment. Salina blends small-town charm with big-city amenities, creating a unique environment where innovation meets tradition.
Daily Detour: Outdated Technology Liability
Scott Gardner serves as Director of Computer Technology, Continuous Process Improvement, and Media for the City of Salina. He brings both technical expertise and business acumen to decisions. Scott approaches challenges from multiple angles. When it came time to address the city’s website problems, his analysis revealed three critical pain points. These issues demanded immediate attention.
The Legacy System Problem
Salina’s existing website was hosted by a large, well-known provider. The system had become a digital bottleneck. The interface looked and felt outdated. It lacked the functionality required for effective government operations.
The Vendor Sprawl Costs
The operational chaos underneath was more concerning than aesthetics. The website’s basic forms center forced the city to maintain relationships with four or five separate vendors. These vendors were needed just to handle essential government forms. None of these systems communicated with each other. This created data silos and manual workarounds that consumed valuable staff time.
The issue? Bloated costs, disconnected systems, and frustrated citizens. Citizens had to navigate a maze of different interfaces for basic government services.
The Efficiency Gap
For Scott, whose role centers on continuous improvement, the inefficiency was particularly frustrating. Form submissions required manual intervention. Vendor relationships meant separate contracts, support channels, and integration headaches. The city was spending taxpayer dollars on complexity rather than capability.
The Solution: Complete Digital Upgrade
Scott’s evaluation process focused on three fundamental questions:
- What solution offered the most current website technology specifically designed for government needs?
- Which provider would deliver superior service and ongoing support?
- What approach made the strongest business case?
The answer to all three questions was MCCi Government Websites.
Custom Government Website CMS
Unlike generic website solutions, MCCi Government Websites are customized to meet each agency’s specific needs. This wasn’t about forcing Salina’s processes into a one-size-fits-all template. Instead, the platform adapted to support how the city actually operates.
Efficient Implementation Process
Despite complete customization, the underlying architecture enables faster deployment. The system has fewer integration issues. This unique combination of flexibility and reliability meant Salina could achieve a custom solution. They avoided the typical custom development timeline and risk profile.
Smart Content Management
The platform’s interface was designed for government staff, not technical specialists. Salina’s team could update content and modify forms. They could maintain their digital presence without requiring specialized training. Routine changes didn’t need external support.
Responsive Partnership Approach
From initial inquiry through implementation, MCCi demonstrated responsive communication. This built confidence in long-term partnerships. Scott noted that email inquiries typically received responses within an hour. This service standard continued post-launch.
Government-Specific Smart Forms
“Making a form for government business is different than making a form for a manufacturer,” Scott observed. The Advanced Forms Center was specifically engineered for government workflows. It handles compliance requirements and citizen interaction patterns.
The Results: Budget-Friendly, Operational Efficiency, and Citizen Experience.
The technology upgrade delivered improvements that city staff could measure immediately. Salina achieved significant cost savings while boosting operational efficiency. Citizens gained access to better digital services. These changes affected three key areas: financial performance, operational efficiency, and citizen experience.
Reducing vendor sprawl saved $30,000.
For Scott Gardner, the difference between his previous vendor experience and working with MCCi comes down to trust and predictability. Government budgets demand certainty, and Scott found that certainty with MCCi.
$30,000 Annual Savings Through Vendor Consolidation
By eliminating multiple form vendors and related service providers, Salina achieved immediate cost reduction. The annual savings reached approximately $30,000. This wasn’t just about cutting expenses. It was about redirecting resources toward citizen-focused improvements rather than administrative overhead.
Transparent, Predictable Cost
Scott particularly appreciated the absence of surprise fees that plague many government technology contracts. “I hate it when you have a contract and they come back and they say, ‘Oh, well, this is an add-on. This is an add-on.’ You must go back and modify the contract and add this or that. MCCi doesn’t operate that way.”
Government Efficiency Gains
“We’re more efficient, we’re more effective, we’re spending less money than we were before,” Scott reported. This efficiency improvement means staff time previously spent on system management can now focus on direct citizen service. Manual workarounds are eliminated.
The responsive communication that initially impressed Scott continued throughout implementation and beyond. “I’m looking for a vendor that I trust to give me exactly what I need to get the job done so that I become efficient and effective,” he explained. Critically, this elevated service level didn’t require additional fees. “It wasn’t one of those situations where we had to pay an extra $2000 to get this level of service. This was just the service that was provided, and it was better than anything we had with our old website.”
Citizens Find What They Need, Fast
The new website features drone footage of Salina’s downtown. This highlights the city’s unique heritage and culture. The visual approach creates immediate connection and community pride. It showcases the area’s distinctive character. A well-organized megamenu system makes the site easy to navigate. Frequently requested links receive prominent placement. Citizens can quickly access essential information, such as the “City Commission Agenda and Minutes” and “Pay Your Water Bill.” They don’t need to search through multiple pages.
Connecting Where Citizens Already Are
Social media icons at the top of the page reflect reality. Many residents rely on these channels for city updates and emergency communications. This integration ensures consistent messaging across all digital touchpoints.
Always Current, Always Accurate
City staff can update website content at any time. This ensures residents always have access to current information about services, meetings, and community developments.
Read to Save Money Like City of Salina?
Salina’s upgrade illustrates what becomes possible when government technology actually supports operational efficiency. Their experience offers a roadmap for municipalities ready to move beyond outdated systems and vendor complexity.
The path forward starts with understanding your current digital infrastructure challenges. You need to identify opportunities for strategic improvement. MCCi Government Websites offer the same customization, integration, and support capabilities that enabled Salina’s success.
Ready to explore how updated government technology can improve your operational efficiency while reducing costs?
Contact MCCi today to schedule a digital assessment. Discover how the right technology partnership can help your community achieve the same kind of measurable improvements Salina experienced.
When government technology works the way it should, everyone benefits. Staff become more efficient. Citizens receive better service. Taxpayer dollars get maximized for community impact rather than administrative overhead.