Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/70379
Local Government an address that's then geocoded to the correct loca- tion. An observed date and time is filled out, and an option to supply detailed notes is available. After com- pleting the form, users submit the issue, which then is brought directly to city staff's attention. The second way to use YourGOV is via a smart- A screen capture of the YourGOV logo is featured on a mobile device as the application is launched. phone. Currently, YourGOV supports the Apple iPhone and Android-powered smartphones. This free applica- tion is available via the App Store or Google Market and is simple to download. From these devices, users launch the application, and the phones' spatial location determines if they're in a YourGOV-covered area. As with the Web version, users can select from a list of commonly reported issues, fill out an observed date and time, and fill in any pertinent details. Unlike the Web version, users can submit a pic- ture taken with their device as well as add contact information or submit their issue anonymously. Either way, the issue is brought directly into the city's work- management solution. The issue then is taken care of by city staff and marked as "Completed." It's quick, easy and efficient. users can select the location of issues being reported. Mobile-device Tracking an Issue Tracking an issue via YourGOV is easy and can be accomplished by logging in to the YourGOV Web site. After logging into the site, users can track the status of their submitted issues as well as any other requests that have been submitted. Points on a map represent issue locations, and users can click on points to see what activity has been assigned to the issue, when the issue was closed and any notes city staff may have submitted. To keep the corresponding map clean, filters are put in place, so only requests from the last 15 days are shown. Submitted issues that fall outside city limits don't show up on the map, but are passed along to the appropriate municipality or organization. receives on non-emergency issues and increased the timeliness of when a problem is resolved. Furthermore, because these issues are brought directly into the city's work-management solution, a true cost can be obtained on what it took to take care of the issue. Submitting an Issue YourGOV can be used in two ways. The first is via the Web, and first-time users must create a profile to utilize the application. Once successfully registered, a submitter can "Add a Request" by picking from a list of commonly reported issues. Examples of issues include abandoned vehicles, graffiti, potholes, damaged signs and malfunctioning street lights. After an issue has been selected, users can pick the location of the issue from a map or enter 16 GEO W ORLD / JUNE 2O12 Results The number of submittals and registered users for YourGOV has been steady. To date, the city of Golden's YourGOV application has 165 submittals, an average of more than 11 per month. Although it may not sound like a lot, that's 11 less phone calls per month some- one has to take, so it adds up. And with 104 registered users, the word is getting out. The most reported issues deal with street signs, whether they're damaged, missing or down. By report- ing these issues, a sign crew can be dispatched to repair or replace the sign in question, eliminating a potential safety hazard in a quick manner. Other commonly submitted issues deal with pot- holes, concrete issues, graffiti and traffic signals. To compensate for issues that may not be listed, there's