City of Iowa City to Hold Open House for New Smart Phone App 'govXpress' Used to Report Problems to City Staff

It will now be more easy than ever to rat out your neighbors and complain to the City of Iowa City about a variety of offenses and city deficiencies, all with the help of a new Smartphone app, whcih the City is debuting on April 15.

Although you have to wonder if the Iowa City graffiti community will be encouraged by this: a whole new group of people that will be hellbent on documenting their work-- their ephemeral moments of recognition before the graffii is removed.

View the details on the app in the promotional video above or the press release below.

Release via the City of Iowa City

The City of Iowa City will soon introduce yet another convenient way for residents to request services, ask questions, or submit citizen reports of everything from trash and debris in unkempt yards to abandoned cars, unshoveled walks, graffiti, and apartment over-occupancy -- all with the use of a smart phone and an easy-to-use app called ICgovXpress. Next Monday, April 15, the City plans to debut the new app and invites the public to attend an open house from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Emma Harvat Hall in City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street, to learn more about the new system and the benefits it can offer.

The new system will offer a streamlined, easy-to-use way for residents to contact City Hall and request City services by:

•allowing citizens to contact the City around the clock, whenever it suits their schedule, using the convenience of their cell phone;
•immediately routing each request to the proper department and/or staffperson for improved feedback and response times; and
•creating a unique tracking number for each request so that its status can be easily followed by a central tracking system, and automatically notifying the citizen when the request has been completed.

The new program will also maintain accountability for a timely completion of tasks, and provide response-time data that will help the City determine where improvements and efficiencies can be made. 

The open house will provide information on how to install the app on a smart phone, how to navigate menus to find information and submit a request and a documenting photo, and how to submit information or requests anonymously, for those who prefer to contact the City without being identified. 

The free ICgovXpress mobile app will be available for iPhone and Android users on Monday, April 15. For citizens who do not have a smart phone, the web version of the reporting software may be accessed via the City's website at www.icgov.org/icgovxpress or by clicking on the ICgovXpress logo on the home page at www.icgov.org. Citizens may also submit reports to the system by calling 319/356-5000 or stopping by the Housing and Inspection Services office at City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street, during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.