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County's use of Internet starts to click By DANI DODGE As the county's Internet guru sees it, there are three phases of e-government: information, interaction and transaction. Jackson County is doing a good job providing information, says Marc Christensen, Jackson County information technology director. It's developing a decent record of interaction. But transaction just isn't happening. This summer, Jackson County officials will be exploring that next frontier. "The final step is transactional, where you are conducting business over the Internet," said Christensen. "What we are trying to figure out, is if we do develop it, would people use it?" Jackson County is spending $30,000 this year on what is called e-government - conducting the public's business on the Internet. That money doesn't include the staff time necessary to load information onto the county's site at www.jacksoncounty.org on the Web. Currently the county has a Web site where people can get information including the latest election results, learn road conditions and investigate the county's budget. The county's Web site also allows Internet users to be notified when information that interests them becomes available. For example, a person can customize the site so they are notified through e-mail about county job openings and important meetings. "And it also ties in with a free map provider to tell you where the meeting is at," Christensen said. So the next step in the Internet frontier would be doing things online, like paying property taxes or applying for building permits. But before the county gets to that point they need to figure out the costs and the benefits, said Deputy County Administrator Dave Kanner. "It's pretty expensive because you have to set up systems with banks so transactions can be conducted and credit cards will have a transaction fee (to the county)," Kanner said. They also will have to overcome concerns people have about privacy, said Christensen. One assessor's office in Ohio puts all its property tax assessment information on the Web so that Internet users need only put in a name and they can find out where that person lives and how much their house is worth. "Anyone can walk into the assessors office and get that information," Christensen pointed out. "But there is a perception out there if someone is in their darkened living room looking at this it presents a problem." County officials also will be checking with focus groups this summer about whether people are even interested in the concept. About 40 percent of Jackson County residents have Internet access at home or at work, but many still are uncomfortable using the Internet for business transactions. After they determine the costs and interests, county commissioners will prioritize the possibilities and the county budget committee will decide what to fund. Under that scenario, paying taxes online could be possible this time next year. "If we can set up systems that really make it more convenient for the public and also more efficient for the county," Kanner said. "Then it really is a win-win situation." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.