First, Barton County launched its new webiste.
Next, it entered the world of Facebook.
And, two weeks ago, it jumped into the Twittersphere.
County commissioners Monday morning heard a briefing from County Administrator Richard Boeckman on county’s expanded use of social media as a means of providing residents instant access and information. It included a video presentation on just how digitally oriented society is becoming.
“The county’s movement to social media has been very successful,” Boeckman said. It is important, he said, to reach younger residents.
Where as newspapers and radio have a vital following, “a lot of people we are trying to reach don’t pay attention to traditional media, he said.
Diana Watson in Boeckman’s office is responsible for updating the county’s Facebook posts and said the page now has over 500 followers. Twitter is taking a little longer to gain momentum.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Community Corrections both utilize social media on a regular basis (to get news out and to locate offenders), and the County Clerk’s Office is planning on using it more come election time.
“This might get them (younger people) interested in county business,” Commissioner Don Davis said. “They might get involved.”
The county uses Facebook (Barton County KS) and Twitter (@BartonCountyKS) with the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook (Barton County Sheriff’s Office).