LAUREL HILL — The city may soon have an official — or at least semi-official — presence on the World Wide Web following discussion about keeping residents informed about city matters.
Council members were discussing filling the vacant fifth council seat and seeking resident input during ongoing research into the dissolution of the city at the June 4, 2015 council meeting.
Councilman Scott Moneypenny asked Council Chairman Larry Hendren how information about filling the vacant council seat was being disseminated. Applications are being accepted through June 19.
"Typically it's the newspaper and word of mouth," Hendren replied, adding that minutes from council meetings and pertinent official reports are also posted at City Hall and the post office.
"Is there anything that stops us from having an unofficial Facebook page?" Moneypenny asked.
"Yes, there is," former mayor Joan Smith said, explaining Florida League of Cities rules recommend a municipality's web presence be comprehensive and should include all city ordinances, the city charter, council minutes and other documents.
"It bears investigation," Hendren said. "Let's see what the current rules are. Rules do change."
Mayor Robby Adams advised the council members that if the city started a Facebook page, "we need to regulate feedback because some postings can get pretty nasty."
Councilwoman Debra Adams suggested inserts in monthly water bills could also be a good method for sending out information to residents.
The council agreed to look into establishing a web presence and other communications venues.
"The timing is good right now to get questions out about dissolving or not dissolving," Hendren said.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill officials consider establishing web presence