The Resource Management Agency was formed in 2005 to optimize the county's delivery of land use-related services to provide highest levels of service. The agency's Building Services, Planning, and Public Works departments will upgrade to Accela Automation from a legacy Accela product so that more than 150 staff members can access and share land use information from a centralized database, improving the overall efficiency of key county functions and operations and enabling more accurate and timely response to customers.
Several Building Services development programs in particular will benefit from implementation of the Accela solution: fast-track permit center plan reviews, next day inspections, computer tracking of permits, and coordination with sister agencies to ensure efficient and effective construction services.
"Our mission is to deliver exceptional public service," said Tim McCormick, director of Building Services. "Accela's automated technology solutions will help us function as a meaningful and responsible agency to achieve quality long-range planning and deliver effective development and administration of construction and land use policies."
The county also selected additional Accela applications that will enhance the functionality of Accela Automation solutions to facilitate sharing of GIS information from a centralized database, enable field staff to work more efficiently in conducting inspections, and provide residents with the ability to apply for and obtain permits online:
Accela GIS™ seamlessly integrates with Accela Automation to provide powerful real-time visual analysis to enhance land use, zoning, and infrastructure data. It allows creation of multiple map layers, automated map analysis, parcel and asset inventory management, direct editing of GIS data or files, and auto-distribution of information to mailing lists. It is built on the ArcIMS™ platform by ESRI®.
Accela Wireless™ is a mobile government software application that allows government staff to perform their jobs from the field for inspections, code enforcement, work orders, and service requests. Optimized for Intel Centrino® Mobile Technology, Accela Wireless is compatible with PDAs, laptops, and Tablet PCs running on the Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating systems.
Accela Citizen Access™ provides real-time, direct access via the Internet to agency permit and land management activities. Online permit applications can be configured to allow citizens and businesses access to apply and pay for permits, schedule inspections, check the status of a permit or inspection, or print an approved permit directly from the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The county is financing the upgrade to Accela Automation through Accela Financial Services™, which provides low interest rate, municipal lease purchase financing for government agencies.
"We applaud Monterey County for recognizing the enormous potential of utilizing the best technology available to deliver the best customer service possible," said Maury Blackman, Accela president and CEO. "We are pleased to add the county to a growing list of clients who are upgrading to Web-based solutions and look forward to supporting their important goals."
About Monterey County
Monterey County is a major tourist destination on California's Pacific coastline. Its 3,771 sq. miles include such attractions as Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and Monterey Bay. Monterey County is home to a population of approximately 425,000. The City of Salinas is the County Seat. For more information, please visit www.co.monterey.ca.us.
About Accela
Accela provides innovative, Web-based enterprise software solutions that automate land, permit, and asset management processes for local, state, and federal government agencies of all sizes. Backed by nearly 30 years of development and implementation in more than 500 agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, Accela products and services empower agencies to increase efficiencies, reduce workload, and provide citizens and businesses with more convenient access to government services. Accela is located in San Ramon, Calif. Accela products can be purchased directly from the GSA Schedule Contract #GS-35F-0249R. For more information, please visit www.accela.com.
Contact: Deborah Papp Accela, Inc. 925-659-3244 Email Contact Ron Jenkins RBJ Consulting 972-473-3546 Email Contact