THE CITY OF MADISON LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE REPORTING PLATFORM

Make it easier to reach the planning and preservation office

Madison, Indiana (April 18, 2023) – The Planning, Preservation, & Design (PPD) office has moved from the online IWORQ system to a new permitting and reporting platform called OpenGov. OpenGov will improve the online visibility of the PPD permitting processes, making it more accessible for contractors, property owners, and businesses to file their permits and update their licenses each year. It will also introduce a new efficient reporting system for residents, furthering the city's mission of eliminating blight in our community and making it easier for citizens to connect with us.

Thirty-two permit types for the PPD office are now automated in OpenGov, including everything from zoning approval applications to floodplain development permits, project proposal presentations, and the planning and zoning approval processes. Payments are also now accepted online, streamlining the process for individuals and city staff. Traditional paper applications are still available.

"The city's goal when adding an online system was to create a more user-friendly environment while increasing the amount of data our office could collect. OpenGov offers a better public interface with application process tracking, the ability to communicate directly through the permitting site with the reviewers, and credit card processing for application payments," said Director of Planning Nicole Schell.

Transforming civic reporting, the portal will also serve as a public hub for reports relevant to the street department for roadway and curbside pickup concerns, city-wide event guide applications, PPD nuisance violations, city parks maintenance, and more. Everything from abandoned homes to potholes can be reported, promptly notifying city staff.

"This system brings our service to a whole new level," said Madison's Mayor, Bob Courtney. " By enabling citizens to submit real-time reports to our Planning, Preservation and Design office, the paperwork processes will have a quicker turn-around rate, and we will see work being done more efficiently and in a timely manner. This new platform will make it easier for our citizens and staff while furthering our mission of increasing accessibility for all and advancing our blight elimination strategies through reporting and data collection.

 OpenGov has officially launched its public portal. It can be found at Madison-in.gov/reporting.