KINGMAN – The City of Kingman has approved a contract that staff believes will improve government efficiency and citizen service, particularly in the building sector. Presenting during the Aug. 20 City Council meeting, Finance Director Tina Moline enthusiastically endorsed use of the Granicus SmartGov Permitting, Licensing and Planning software program.
“It is going to increase our productivity throughout or organization and just as importantly, it’s going to provide an increased level of service to all of our external customers, so this is very exciting,” Moline said. She said it will also help improve the municipal Code Enforcement system.
Moline explained residents and businesses will be able to use the city website to enjoy the benefits of the new program, which includes an interactive portal.
“Customers will be able to report things that are going on, so weeds, or potholes or water leaks, they’ll be able to report that in the system,” she said. “I think our customers are going to love the system and I know that our staff is going to love the improvement as well.”
Councilors Jengis Arik and Jamie Scott Stehly, as well as Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli, expressed support for the endeavor. While the impacts and improvements might permeate local government, much of the benefit is aimed at the development services arena.
“This is really going to help our builder community keep track of where their projects are,” Sammeli said. “And I feel like it’s also going to help because they’re not going to be calling in and having to disrupt staff and staff is going to be able to just move along and they’re going to know where everything is at.”
Moline agreed the program will greatly improve processes so involved parties can quickly learn where any project, initiative or other matters might be, as well as next steps involved.
Moline said $350,000 is already budgeted for five-year involvement with a vendor and that Granicus will be paid $110,509 plus applicable taxes in year one. She said a kickoff with Granicus representatives will be held in early Sept. with the new program and improvements to be fully implemented by next summer.
Dave Hawkins
