SAN ANTONIO -- Someone sent in a complaint to Bexar County Public Works about trash piling up on this street. That person used the county's YOUR GOV smart phone app and got results.
According to public works director, Renee Green, the county set up the system in 2010.
By using a smart phone or computer, you can pinpoint a location and use a drop down menu to pick from a selection of issues: pot holes, drainage, dead animals, or trash.
The application also allows you to snap a picture of the problem.
Someone reported graffitti in the county and a crew was sent out to paint over it.
"We are increasing the number of streets that we maintain at an alarming rate and we had to find a away to make technology work to our advantage," stated Green.
According to the public works director, Bexar County was the first in the nation to set up the system for handling work orders. Since 2010, the county has received nearly 7000 thousand work requests. But how long will you wait for service?
"it taking us about an average of one day and 15 hours, " Green insisted.
At the most, it would take two days she added.
The county manages the requests according to a list of priorities.
"Public health and safety come first. Things like graffiti removal come second," she said.
Sometimes the county must submit the request to another agency.
According to Green, it's not costing you more tax dollars to tackle all the repairs.
"So we are actually saving money by geographically being able to coordinate our responses with one crew, instead of sending crews here and there."
San Antonio does not have a similar system yet, said Green. But that could change soon. She told us city workers and folks cross the country have contacted her office wanting to tap into what's considered a much more efficient way to serve taxpayers.
To learn more and download this app --
CLICK HERE...
