Marysville Borough Council approved a new document management system, which could improve how it handles and tracks its code enforcement, permitting and public works affairs.
The current system Marysville is using is inefficient, taking too long to scroll through permits and citations to find relevant paperwork and ordinances, borough Manager Zack Border said.
The new web-based system through Utah-based software company iWorQ will give Marysville a comprehensive and easily searched management tool to work on and track many of its functions, according to a presentation from iWorQ representative Dalton Mickelsen during the borough’s Aug. 10 council meeting. Those tasks include building permits, code enforcement citations, borough vehicle maintenance, and public works schedules. The software also gives borough employees the ability to easily cross-reference related actions and work so they have a comprehensive view of ongoing problems and past solutions.
For example, the code enforcement section of the software lists all the cases the borough is working on, which is easily searched by multiple fields such as property owner, address, and type of offense. That allows the code enforcement officer to see what types and number of citations have been issued for a property, and to see recurring problems. It also generates standard notices to be printed for mailing or sent via email.
Code enforcement and the permitting section work together, too. Not only does the permitting section have the same comprehensive data for each property and case, but it also can draw in data on open code enforcement issues with a property. That allows the borough to take into account problems before issuing new permits. Most municipalities have requirements that a property resolve outstanding code violations before they will issue additional permits for additions, new construction or other work not related to solving violations.
The public works portion of iWorQ tracks material and inventory, allows departments to write standard work orders for jobs around town, track jobs and assigned employees, and equipment maintenance. These functions will help the borough manage its expenses better and save money.
“It helps with budgeting a lot,” Border said.
The software is popular with other small municipalities. Lemoyne, Cumberland County, and Bloomsburg, Columbia County, are examples of Pennsylvania towns that use iWorQ. The company’s software supports about 1,600 municipalities and agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
Council approved a contract with iWorQ over financial objections of Councilman David Magee. He said he loved the software, and it clearly could help the borough, but he wanted to wait for the new year and a new budget. He was concerned the borough didn’t have the money for it at this time.
The borough locked in a price of $4,500 for the software by approving it now, and the company allowed it to defer payment until December. The borough can divide up the cost across departments that will use it, lessening the impact on any one part of the budget.
Other news
Council accepted the quote from Keystone Petroleum Equipment worth $8,350 for the company to make repairs to the borough’s underground storage tanks. The amount is below requirements for a bidding process.
It also accepted the 2019 borough audit report from accountants Boyer and Ritter. The only finding was that the borough’s non-union retirement accounts were underfunded. It will be a consideration for when council begins budgeting for next year.
Council voted to move its money market accounts for the general fund, sewer, and state highway aid from Riverview Bank to accounts with the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) to obtain better interest rates on the money.
The borough will have a contractor explore the recurring sinkhole on Kings Highway for more permanent repairs.
Council adopted the most recent International Property Code revisions (2018). It was previously using the 2015 version of the property codes in its ordinances.
Cameron Street from Broad Street to Bitting Ave. will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 6 for the borough’s National Night Out events. Other borough roads will be closed Oct. 19 for the Halloween parade. The parade’s rain date is Oct. 26.
Council decided to hold Trick-or-Treat night 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 with a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 31