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888-256-5777
info@govpartner.com

 

  

 “Our implementation of GovPartner’s permitting software marks an important step toward a centralized, user-friendly one-stop portal.”

- Bill White, Former Mayor
City of Houston

  
  
e-Government Software Clients

Clients

CITY OF HOUSTON, TX

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Client: City of Houston, TX

Population: 2.15 million

Location and Description:
Fourth most populous city in the United States,
largest municipality in Texas and Southern U.S.

“As one of the largest municipalities in the nation, it is certainly a challenge to streamline and simplify issuance of hundreds of unique permit types. But by combining GovPartner’s portal technology with our efforts to re-engineer internal management processes, we will establish a model and a venue for anyone anywhere in the world to conduct business with the City of Houston in a manner that is easy, secure and professional.”

Alfred J. Moran, Director of Administration and Regulatory Affairs 
City of Houston

Permitting & Licensing Management: High Profile Solution With Minimal Risk

The City of Houston oversees the world’s 30th largest economy and is the corporate headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies. More than 90 languages are spoken in this international metropolis, with three airports that serve over 50 million passengers per year. As a leading international business and cultural center, City leaders are focused on utilizing the most advanced technology to deliver customer service.

In 2007, Houston Mayor Bill White led a drive to centralize the City’s online permits processes and make license and permit issuance more customer friendly. The City issues more than 260 distinct permit types, adding up to more than 435,000 permits per year with over $50 million transacted annually. There are 10 departments that issue permits with the largest being Public Works & Engineering, Administration & Regulatory Services and Health & Human Services issuing 76% of the total permits. This process was a very large undertaking.

As one of the initial steps in this process the City selected the CommunityDevelopmentPartner system in early 2008. The first phase of the implementation was completed within 90 days. As part of Phase 2, the City deployed a Public Portal component to offer online permit capabilities through the City of Houston website in April of 2009.

As part of the One-Stop Permitting initiative, the Department of Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) executed a plan to implement the CommunityDevelopmentPartner system. This solution has improved the City’s handling of billing and collection of fees associated with permits and licenses. The City also benefits from electronic management versus paper-based applications, which provide cost and environmental benefits.

On the internal management component of their CommunityDevelopmentPartner system, managers and staff utilize a self-configurable and flexible management tool that is equipped with geographic information systems (GIS) functionality and the ability to easily update workflow templates and fee calculations and formulas. This powerful management software provides a comprehensive view of all activity at a given location or for a specific customer, with data updated in real-time.

In 2009, the City unveiled the Houston Permit Portal as one of the most advanced portals in the world. Not only does the portal provide a custom management dashboard and flexible permit templates for ARA staff, but the public is also provided with their own customizable dashboard and management console to track purchased and pending permits. The public can also add as many applications as needed to a secure shopping cart.

The permit and license-issuance portal is scalable, so it can accommodate the permitting activity of other City departments. ARA already notes that the quality of data submitted has improved because by applying online, applicants can verify important information before submitting the data.

The City launched an impressive outreach campaign holding an e-Government Open House and working with GovPartner to customize the portal with permit-specific contextual help for a smooth transition to online business. In September 2009, the Houston Portal was showcased at the 95th annual conference for ICMA (International City / Management Association) in Quebec, Canada.
  
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