TUPELO – In an ongoing effort to make government as streamlined and transparent as possible, the city will unveil a new Web site aimed at making residents’ lives easier.

Mayor Jack Reed Jr. announced the new site at a Friday morning press conference during which he introduced the site’s creator, Josh Mabus.

“The current site was designed in 1995 and has not changed fundamentally since then,” said Mabus, founder of the Tupelo-based Mabus Agency. “Everything about this new site will be for the citizens of Tupelo.”

Among the most visible changes is the new online address, www.tupeloms.gov – a quicker and easier version of the current “alphabet soup” of www.ci.tupelo.ms.us.

The site goes live this week, but it won’t be fully operational until July. Instead, it will feature an online questionnaire asking residents what they want to see in a new municipal Web site.

In the meantime, Mabus will meet with city department heads and elected officials to compile a list of needs and determine how to best meet them online.

But Reed said he already envisions the new Web site as a one-stop-shop for residents to get daily updates on city activities, download forms and even pay bills or traffic fines.

“This is part of a package of transparency,” Reed said. “People will be able to see how their tax dollars are spent.”

The current Web site lacks many of the services and features that residents and city leaders want, Reed said. That will soon change.

Several City Council members spoke in support of the revamp, saying it will increase communication between the city and its residents.

“I think it’s a great step in the right direction,” said council President Fred Pitts. “I’m excited about it.”

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.