News

Service kiosks to ease permit process

July 12, 2004

NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Ray Nagin has unveiled a new system of touchscreen customer service kiosks that will streamline the process of obtaining building, electrical, mechanical or zoning permits, according to an article in The Times-Picayune.

"We are using technology to reduce waiting times and to ensure that permit applicants have all of the information and documentation they need before coming to City Hall," Nagin said. "This system, which preprocesses permit applicants, is on the cutting edge of both customer service and electronic government services."

Applicants will answer a series of questions, based on the property in question and the nature of their request, to determine whether all their documentation is in order. Once it has been determined that the applicant has all the information needed to file for a permit, the kiosk prints a receipt that includes a cue number and an estimated waiting time for when the applicant will see an inspector. The receipt also shows how the applicant answered the questions, making it easier for the inspector to review the request.

The kiosk system will also be available online so applicants make sure they have all the information they need before going to City Hall. The kiosk includes a searchable database that includes public records related to building permits to help contractors and homeowners monitor the progress of their building and inspection projects.

The software for the kiosks was developed by the Mayor's Office of Technology and Out The Box Web Production, a New Orleans' Internet company.

"Today, we are streamlining the permitting process, but this is just a taste of the technology that we will use in years to come to improve customer service at City Hall. This kiosk system can be used in a variety of city departments to make operations more efficient," Nagin said.