Town of Miami Lakes will soon launch a new mobile app and staff is seeking resident input for a catchy name. Submit ideas to Jackie Calzadilla at CalzadillaJ@miamilakes-fl.gov to win a dinner for two at Shula’s Steakhouse.
The Town continues to remain dedicated to improving its use of technology to enhance transparency and open the lines of communication with residents and business owners. With 90 percent of the population toting a cell phone and more than half using a smartphone, the phone is the quickest way to connect.
The new award-winning mobile app, proposed by Councilmember Tony Lama, can be used on iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows phones. With this app, the Town looks to boost citizen interaction, improve efficiency and help increase response times for resident and business requests.
The system will allow residents to submit requests and access critical government information via a number of methods including web, native smartphone applications, SMS text messaging, and a toll free hotline. Once a request is submitted, residents will be able to view and track the request for updates as well as provide additional information and feedback.
The new mobile app will also allow dynamic translations between residents and Town staff which opens up Town services to non-native English speaking residents. The entire application and all content will automatically be translated into the user’s native language settings. All submitted content will be sent to staff in English and the staff response is automatically translated back to the user’s native language.
Direct communication via controlled push notifications will keep residents updated on the status of their service requests, and can also be used to alert users of road closures due to construction or accidents, emergency, weather and safety.