Bucks County Unveils New Website

Bucks County took the wraps off its new website last week.

The new site by Kansas firm CivicPlus comes with a new look, new branding, an easier-to-use layout, better accessibility for those with disabilities, an artificial intelligence ChatBot to supplement the improved search function, and the fact that it is mobile friendly.

One big change is the website has moved from BucksCounty.org to BucksCounty.gov.

Eric Nagy, the county director of policy and projects, said the website is still a work in progress. He noted there is still development on Bucks County user ID, a mobile app, and online payments.

“This was a true team effort involving every County department working together for the better part of a year. From the design to the ChatBot to our ADA accessibility features, the new buckscounty.gov marks a major leap into the 21^st century, providing a dramatically improved experience for the pubic when interacting with county government, regardless of ability,” Nagy said.

Bucks County’s last website design, which heavily featured green and yellow, came into existence in 2013.

The 2020 transition report prepared for commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Bob Harvie and Gene DiGirolamo – two Democrats and a Republican – called for improvements to the county website.

The county began internal discussions on a new website in July 2020. A task force started meeting in August to go over needs and wants for the new website, county Public Information Director Larry King said.

Design by CivicPlus started in early October 2020.

King said it took about eight months to develop the website.

The upgrade to the website and related work cost approximately $895,800, which was paid for with about 70 percent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. The rest was covered by county taxpayer funds.

Bucks County’s websites throughout the years: