Naperville embarking on technology upgrades to boost community service
Naperville is improving its technology with an eye toward making it easier for residents to conduct more city business online.
Instead of standing in line at the municipal center to apply for a permit or pay a utility bill, IT Director Jeff Anderson says, residents eventually will be able to work online to conduct those same transactions.
The improvements will be made gradually during the next three years under a $7.4 million contract the city council approved Tuesday with Texas-based Tyler Technologies.
The company will provide a new software package called an enterprise resource planning system that will create the technological infrastructure to connect accounting, utility billing, building permits, business licenses, payroll, purchasing, inventory and code enforcement - basically everything the city does.
Online bill payment and other services for residents are expected to begin in late 2018 or early 2019.
"We're moving the city forward to another generation of being able to provide that customer service to our residents," council member Patty Gustin said.
The time to make the improvements is now, despite the cost, council members said in a unanimous vote to buy the software and maintenance contract that lasts through 2024.
"We've fallen so far behind the times that it's very difficult to do business with the city of Naperville," council member Kevin Gallaher said.
The city spent the past year getting its IT team into place and researching the best software programs to meet government needs. Officials chose the Munis and EnerGov systems from Tyler Technologies, which will connect with programs some departments will continue using, such as OnBase document management and GovQA citizen engagement.