City plans digital updates

More services will be available online and electronically

A new year means more Boca Raton’s virtual city hall.

The city’s planning and zoning department is working to computerize its application and approval process. The automated services will be gradually rolled out this spring.

The city already offers certain online applications, payments, inquiries and information on its website, www.ci.bocaraton.fl.us.

In 2009 and again in 2013, the City Council Action Plan included direction for implementing and funding technology upgrades.

Since then, different divisions and departments have become digitized. City spokeswoman Chrissy Biagiotti said the growth of technology makes for more efficient accounting and record keeping, and

additions

to makes processes more

“Being able to pay a bill or apply for a permit on your mobile device or computer saves time and money,” Biagiotti said. “It cuts down on driving, waiting, copying and postage. In addition, our level of service has increased because staff has to spend less time on administrative tasks and can spend more time communicating with the customers and residents.”

Benefits of the online format are evident in the building department, according to city officials. The department began taking online applications and automated the permitting process in 2010.

During the first few years, the department focused on training and getting people to participate. As participation increased, improvements were made to speed up the services.

Before the new system, processing a permit took close to 60 days. At this time last year, the average time to run a permit through the department was 26 days. Now, it averages 18 days, said Ty Harris, development

convenient

for

residents. services manager.

The department averages about 5,200 inspections a month and issues roughly 1,400 permits in that same time. Applications to the building department can be submitted, modified, approved and paid for online. Special assessments, business taxes and inspections also are payable electronically.

For residents who prefer to use the phone, the department has a voice-activated system that allows applicants to check the status of a permit or inspection, schedule an inspection and get results.

The department has an online presentation on how to submit applications and also offers a live webinar on the last Tuesday of each month. Residents can also refer to the department’s Facebook page.

Another department making the shift to digital is recreation services. The department offers online formats for athletic enrollment and payments, beach and dog park permits and annual passes for tennis, the skate park and pools. Online registration is also available for community center activities and tickets at the Willow Theatre.

Parking tickets and utility bills can be paid online, too. Residents also can register alarms and pay for false alarms electronically. The city charges a $25 fee for paper registration to cover the administrative costs of scanning and copying.

City Council agendas and minutes are posted on the city’s website as are live and archived videos of meetings. Residents can also sign up to receive emergency alerts, the city’s monthly e-news and meeting agendas via email.

The city’s public request system, JustFoia, accepts and tracks public records requests online. The purchasing department accepts vendor registrations digitally, and most vendors are paid through electronic funds transfer.

“These are just a few of the ways we are trying to make information easily accessible to the public,” Biagiotti said.

emiller@tribpub, 561-243-6531 or Twitter @EmilyBethMiller