City of Madera rolls out redesigned website aimed at improving access to city services

The City of Madera has quietly introduced a redesigned version of its official website, part of a push to make digital services easier to use and more accessible for everyone in the community.

The site is currently in a soft rollout, which means it’s live for the public while city staff collect feedback and fine-tune features before a full launch. The redesign brings a cleaner look, smoother navigation, and full mobile responsiveness, making it easier to find information and access city services from phones, tablets, or desktops.

City leaders say the upgrade addresses long-standing frustrations with the old site and reflects Madera’s commitment to transparency and accessibility in the digital age.

Listening to Residents

Planning for the overhaul began last year. City staff partnered with Govstack, a civic tech firm specializing in government websites, to gather input from residents and analyze usage data from the old platform. Feedback from the community played a key role in shaping the new site’s structure and features.

“Our goal was to create a website that serves as a digital City Hall,” said Joseph Carrello, the City’s communications specialist who led the initiative. “We simplified the navigation and site architecture to make information more accessible, while designing an inviting experience that makes it easier for residents and visitors to find what they need.”

Carrello, who has overseen Madera’s photo and video content since 2015, saw the redesign as an opportunity to enhance both the site’s visuals and its voice, bringing in touches of personality not often found on government pages. Much of the photography and video were produced in-house, showcasing local people, places, and everyday moments that reflect the city’s character.  

“It’s no secret that government websites can feel a bit stiff and impersonal,” Carrello said. “We wanted Madera’s site to feel more like a conversation with the community. Something approachable, authentic, and true to who we are.”

Gary Price, Madera’s IT Director and co-lead on the project, said the upgraded infrastructure provides a strong foundation for the city’s digital growth. “This redesign positions Madera to deliver more efficient, secure, and user-friendly online services,” Price said. “We focused on building a modern, scalable platform that can evolve with the city’s needs and support future innovations in digital service delivery.”

The site will remain in a soft launch phase over the next several weeks as staff continue gathering feedback and refining features. Additional updates and functionality are expected ahead of a full public rollout later this year.

The new website is live at www.madera.gov.