| ITEM #: 5. DATE: 05/04/2026 AI #:2987 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE: UPDATE CITY WEBSITE |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Tammy Vo, Digital Communications Director |
Summary
Council will receive an update on the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Strategic Plan project to update and modernize the city website. The project will refresh the city’s main website and consolidate four major sub-sites onto one unified platform to improve consistency, accessibility, cybersecurity, and user experience. The update also supports more efficient content management for staff and reflects the city’s commitment to modern, accessible digital services for residents, visitors, and businesses. (Tammy Vo, Digital Communications Director)
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for the website update is $150,000, which is a part of the FY2026 budget.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The last comprehensive upgrade to the city website was completed in 2014, and the last graphic refresh was in 2021. Since that time, user expectations, federal accessibility requirements, and the city’s digital service needs have evolved significantly.
Staff surveyed residents, the Council, and city staff for their input on opportunities to improve the city’s current websites, and the feedback is being incorporated into the new menus and design.
The current website update not only refreshes the city’s primary website, goodyearaz.gov, but also consolidates the four major sub-sites below under the same platform:
- Goodyear Ballpark
- Goodyear Recreation Campus
- Economic Development
- Tourism (Visit Goodyear)
STAFF ANALYSIS
Bringing all websites onto one unified platform enhances professional consistency, enhances cybersecurity measures, ensures alignment with the city’s voice, and streamlines the user experience, while still allowing each site to feel distinct, fresh, and engaging. This consolidation also strengthens staff efficiency. Managing multiple platforms previously required different tools, workflows, and skill sets. Moving all sites to the Granicus platform supports consistent content management, easier updates, and improved Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 accessibility compliance.
Key Enhancements: The new websites are fully responsive and mobile-friendly, addressing the needs of the city’s growing mobile audience. Additional features include language translation options to improve accessibility for multilingual residents. Staff is also evaluating the integration of a chatbot to enhance user assistance and streamline navigation to high-demand services. Overall, this update reflects the city’s commitment to improving resident engagement, modernizing its digital tools, and offering an accessible, cohesive online experience across all service areas.
Anticipated Timeline: The sub-sites will launch first with a soft rollout so staff can grow familiar with new tools. The new Goodyear Ballpark site will launch first, followed by the other sub-sites. The city’s main website will launch by the end of the calendar year.
Key Enhancements: The new websites are fully responsive and mobile-friendly, addressing the needs of the city’s growing mobile audience. Additional features include language translation options to improve accessibility for multilingual residents. Staff is also evaluating the integration of a chatbot to enhance user assistance and streamline navigation to high-demand services. Overall, this update reflects the city’s commitment to improving resident engagement, modernizing its digital tools, and offering an accessible, cohesive online experience across all service areas.
Anticipated Timeline: The sub-sites will launch first with a soft rollout so staff can grow familiar with new tools. The new Goodyear Ballpark site will launch first, followed by the other sub-sites. The city’s main website will launch by the end of the calendar year.