City of Santa Fe Partners with OpenGov for Enhanced Digital Permitting System

In an effort to modernize its permitting and licensing processes, the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has strategically partnered with OpenGov, a leader in AI and ERP software solutions designed specifically for government entities. This collaboration comes after the city faced challenges with incomplete applications driven by inadequate communication tools in its existing system.

A Move Towards a User-Friendly Experience

With a population exceeding 90,000 residents, Santa Fe recognized the pressing need for a conducive permitting experience that caters to both the needs of the public and the operational efficiency of city staff. Heather Lamboy, the Director of Planning and Land Use for Santa Fe, stated, "It's overdue that we review permits electronically," emphasizing the city's commitment to efficiency, transparency, and modernization in land use management.

The primary goal of adopting OpenGov's Permitting and Licensing software is to eliminate the reliance on traditional paper-based applications, thus improving communication and delivering timely data to applicants. This digital transformation promises significant enhancements in user experience, allowing constituents to manage their applications online effortlessly.

Features That Matter

Residents will enjoy the benefits of a user-friendly online portal where they can easily submit plans, receive automated reminders, and track the status of their applications without the necessity of contacting city staff directly. This initiative aims to reduce application turnaround times from months to mere weeks, which is expected to help restore the trust between the city and its developers, many of whom have expressed frustrations with the previous permitting processes.

City staff will also reap the rewards of this new system, gaining the ability to conduct concurrent reviews and expedite inspections through a mobile app. The system's strong reporting capabilities will enable city leaders to gather insights on permit volumes, business types, and associated valuations efficiently.

Building on a Strong Relationship

This transition is part of a broader strategy as Santa Fe expands its relationship with OpenGov. Earlier this year, the city had successfully implemented OpenGov Enterprise Asset Management, integrating GIS capabilities and utility tracking through user-friendly mobile applications. The city has also leveraged OpenGov Procurement and Contract Management to optimize the procurement process and enhance supplier engagement.

Leaders in Santa Fe believe that extending their usage of OpenGov to include Permitting and Licensing will yield substantial benefits, marking a significant improvement in how the local government manages such essential tasks.

At a time when public complaints regarding permitting processes are prevalent, the adoption of OpenGov is expected to alleviate these issues significantly. Mayor Lamboy suggested that her office frequently hears from residents frustrated with bureaucratic delays, indicating that OpenGov's digital solution is a well-timed remedy. "OpenGov will finally let us deliver," she stated, hinting at the city's anticipation of an expedited and more efficient permitting process.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the City of Santa Fe plans to implement OpenGov's permitting system across various functions, initially focusing on business licenses while progressively expanding to encompass building, planning, inspections, and code enforcement. Seth Greenlaw, Senior Director of Product Management at OpenGov, highlighted the importance of this venture, stating, "Santa Fe is showcasing how the breadth of OpenGov's offerings can transform local government" and emphasized the role of AI in providing real-time insights, automating manual tasks, and preventing bottlenecks in government services.

OpenGov's mission revolves around fostering more effective and accountable government practices. By transforming traditional models with cutting-edge digital solutions, cities like Santa Fe can focus on their priorities, exhibit adaptability, and ultimately build trust within their communities. The commitment of Santa Fe to a digitally-enhanced future positions it as a trailblazer in public service transformation.