September 15, 2015

City Launches “Fix it Cincy!” – New & Improved Service App

Platform provides direct access connection to City services

CINCINNATI – The City of Cincinnati has enhanced its commitment to public services and technology with a new mobile application, “Fix it Cincy!”

This app replaces “City Hall,” the City's first app which was published two years ago.

“Smartphones have transformed the way we live our lives so it is imperative we adapt the latest technologies to make it easier to engage our citizens and solve problems,” said City Manager Harry Black. "This is all part of our plan to make Cincinnati the best managed city in America.”

DOWNLOAD PHOTOS OF APP

The upgraded Fix it Cincy! app allows users greater access to various Cincinnati government departments such as Transportation & Engineering, Buildings & Inspections, and Health, but the focus remains on Public Services. Now, service requests filed using the app go directly into the City's Customer Service Request (CSR) system.

Some of the other unique features of the app include:

A modern, streamlined user interface – making it easier to submit customer service requests;

Improved GPS mapping, including map based selection of service location;

The ability to easily upload a photo along with customer service requests; and

A new survey tool allowing the City to regularly gain feedback on work quality.

Users can also schedule a bulk-item trash pickup; report a pothole; receive in-app notifications when a service request has been completed; share completed service requests on Facebook; and add trash and recycling service dates to their calendar.

“We are enhancing basic services, and this new app will provide us with the means by improving our customer service operations,” said Public Services Director, Maraskeshia Smith.

The City of Cincinnati received more than 9,000 service requests through the original mobile app since it launched in 2013. With the state-of-the-art technology and increased functionality of Fix it Cincy!, the City wants to grow those numbers and increase the quality of the customer service it offers.

The mobile app is available for no cost on all Apple and Android devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Queen City Becoming Leader In Municipal Tech

The Fix it Cincy! app is the latest of a slew of recent technology upgrades by the City. Other tech-centric initiatives include but aren't limited to the pay-by-phone parking options at City meters, overall enhancements to the City’s on-street parking system, the Cincinnati Open Data portal and the launch of the Office of Performance & Data Analytics.

In August, Cincinnati received a TechHire designation from the White House, making it one of only a handful of communities across the country eligible to receive a portion of $100 million in designated grant money intended to develop pathways to well-paying tech jobs for women and underrepresented minorities.