King Township launches mobile app along with new website

May 29, 2014
YorkRegion.com
By Tim Kelly

Government services in King Township have gone totally mobile with a brand new app that was released Monday.

The King-miCity app is available free at the App store for iPhones and on Google play for Android smartphones and can also be used with iPads.

It is completely integrated with King Township’s new and improved website and allows residents and businesses to have full access to municipal services and information, to pay bills online and to get services delivered.

Mayor Steve Pellegrini, a big booster of improved technology at the township, raved about the new app at Monday’s council meeting.

“This is all about continuous customer improvement by this Township. I believe we have one of the finest websites in all of Canada,” he said. “Now, not only did we go from one of the finest websites, we are one of the first and only municipalities to have a mobile app that is directly integrated.”

Pellegrini said those who use the app could take a picture of a pothole anywhere in King Township and, through geo-coding, the picture would be sent back to Township staff who would be notified of its location. They would at least then be aware of the pothole.

“It’s about using what limited financial resources we have in King Township. We need to be effective and efficient with every tax dollar we have. They best way to do that is to be innovative,” said Pellegrini.

Susan Plamondon, chief administrative officer for Township, said smartphones and tablets have already overtaken desk-top computers as devices of choice for accessing services and information.

“Our miCity mobile app makes most sought-after information such as events, waste management and important notifications accessible anytime, wherever our residents are,” she said.

For Rob Flindall, director of engineering and public works, the miCity mobile app provides the exact location and a picture of the problem, when a service request is made.

“This significantly improves our understanding, location and magnitude of the problem and helps us to plan and respond more efficiently,” he said.