WASHINGTON —
Find a pothole? See some trash? Need to get a building permit?
Now, there’s an app for that.
Announced during Monday’s city council meeting, the city of Washington has started a mobile app that can direct residents to city departments and let them know about issues in the city.
City information technology chief Rex Fleetwood said the app is part of the city’s Citizens Action Center, a portal that gets questions answered and issues resolved for residents.
On the web page and on the app, citizens can point out problems, apply for jobs, or start city building and utility permits. Fleetwood said the right issue will go to the appropriate department head. On the mobile app, citizens can upload a photo of the area.
“Citizens themselves can get questions answered in a more timely manner,” Fleetwood said. “There’s an accountability that our citizens can count on.”
Fleetwood said the app and the action center is serviced through WebQA, a company that supplies mobile solutions to local governments. The cost to the city is $200 a month.
“It’s cool technology and we are real excited to get it to the city,” Fleetwood said.
Although residents can start utilities at a home or start building permits, they have to come into the office and pay the deposits.
The mobile app is for iPhones and smartphones that use the Android platform. Fleetwood said there will be more options added to the app later as they become available.
“It’s very informational for our offices because it saves a lot of steps they have to do,” Building Commissioner Terry Wininger said.
More on Monday's City Council meeting Tuesday and in Wednesday's edition.
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