#USA #Bradenton #Accela #ePermitHub

Bradenton City Revolutionizes Permitting Process with Accela

In a significant move towards modernizing its operational workflow, the City of Bradenton, Florida has officially launched the Accela® ePermitHub Digital Plan Room™. This transition represents a major turnaround from the traditionally cumbersome plan review system that employees had previously navigated.

Before the implementation of ePermitHub, the city’s staff members faced multiple challenges, needing to switch between different systems and manually execute repetitive tasks to complete a single permitting process. The Accela ePermitHub aims to consolidate all of these functions into a single, integrated digital experience, streamlining both workflows for city employees and the application processes for residents.

Dana Winters, the Building Manager for Bradenton, commented on the change, stating, "After our previous experience, we were looking for a solution that truly worked with our permitting system—not alongside it. With Accela's ePermitHub, plan review is part of the same system our teams already use every day. It reduces extra steps, eliminates duplicate work, and makes the process much easier for staff to understand and manage."

The old system often required staff to recalibrate their workflow, logging into various platforms and repeating actions to maintain consistency between plan reviews and permitting records. The introduction of Accela's ePermitHub puts an end to this fragmented approach, offering a well-orchestrated workflow that automates many of the previously manual tasks, thereby enhancing overall process reliability.

With an active resident population of nearly 58,000, Bradenton is classified as a significant jurisdiction in terms of permitting activities in both building and planning disciplines. Feedback from applicants has also been overwhelmingly positive, as they now enjoy a simpler, more coherent submission and review experience.

Maykel Martin, Vice President for Technology Product Management at Accela, remarked, "This launch reflects the progress agencies are making toward more connected, end-to-end digital permitting. By adopting a plan review solution that is native to Accela, Bradenton is improving efficiency for staff while delivering a more consistent experience for applicants."

The project's implementation was spearheaded by a collaborative team from the City, including Co-leads Theresa Armstrong (IT), Dana Winters (Building), and Jamie Schindewolf (Planning). They worked closely with Accela throughout the deployment process, ensuring that the outcomes were optimized for the benefit of their users.

Accela itself has established a profound reputation as a leading provider of cloud-based governmental software solutions designed to promote efficiency and modernization. Its offerings include customizable platforms and direct applications that streamline crucial processes such as permitting, licensing, and code enforcement. Accela aids governmental agencies in reducing manual tasks while enhancing service delivery.

As cities transition to a more digital and interconnected infrastructure, Bradenton stands as an inspiring model for other municipalities considering similar upgrades. This move to Accela's ePermitHub is not just a localized upgrade; it represents a broader trend towards modernization in governmental processes, setting a standard for efficiency and improved service in the use of technology within civic environments.

For more information on Accela and its offerings, visit Accela's website.