Information Services Advisory Board

2006 Year-End Report

Julie Robison, council liaison

Susan Moran, staff liaison

The Information Services Advisory Board (ISAB) consists of 10 members from within Cary ’s corporate limits and its ETJ.  The ISAB advises council on all information technology and communications as they relate to Cary ’s citizenry, offers input and guidance on development and implementation of efficient and effective communications tools and programs involving disseminating information and establishes systematic means of receiving input from the public. The ISAB conducted 11 regular meetings during 2006. 

Highlights of the board’s activities for 2006 follow:

• Citizen input is an important part of the Town’s budget process. The board examined the ways the Town reaches out to the community for input into the 2007 budget.

• The board worked with Town communications and technology experts and with the Heart of Cary Association to investigate viability of Wi-Fi access, initially focusing on downtown areas. Findings were passed along to the Economic Development Commission for more investigation.

• Results of the 2006 Biennial survey indicated how Cary citizens regard the services they receive from the Town.  Areas involving how well the Town communicates with the citizens were carefully examined, as well as demographic information that will improve future communications, especially to citizens without internet access.

• The board discussed ways to increase citizen awareness of proposed changes involving neighborhood meetings, public comment periods, and feedback mechanisms.  Recommendations were conveyed to staff who are developing educational materials on these changes.

• To continually improve emergency communications with the public, the board discussed improvements to the Town’s interagency communications, and to the internal communications technology.

• The Town installed dynamic message signs and the board began looking into the kind of information that could be presented.  Balancing state and federal requirements with operational limitations, the board developed recommendations for the Operations Committee. Staff is currently developing messages.

• The board participates in an ongoing review of Town communications to citizens, in this instance the Web site. The board provided suggestions to staff regarding the Web site organization and content.