PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County will develop new ways to use technology to bring government services closer to the public, beginning with the hiring of a new information services director, the county administrator said.

David Shambley, a consultant now living in Marysville, will begin work Wednesday at an annual salary of about $79,000, said County Administrator Philip Morley.

“We need to develop a plan for using technology to bring services online, ” Morley said.

“We want to make information about county government available to citizens and, in some cases, save them a trip to the courthouse.”

Government, Morley said, needs to be as lean and efficient as possible.

Offering services online allows county office staff to do more with their time as there will be fewer people coming in to conduct business, Morley said.

“This will improve customer service,” he said.

Morley did not specify which new services would be available online, saying it will be determined after Shambley is on board.

“We will look at what other agencies and businesses are offering and determine what makes sense for us to provide,” Morley said.

Morley said Shambley’s salary is a good deal for the county.

“We are competing with both the private sector and the public sector for good IT [information technology] people,” Morley said.

The position of information services director has been open for nearly two years. Morley has performed many of the job’s required duties.

Shambley’s presence will free up some of Morley’s time, the county administrator said.

Shambley has worked in the information technology departments of several hospitals, Morley said.

“He has been on the cutting edge of technology for years,” Morley said.

“He can help us to develop the online presence the county needs.”

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.