Take your town hall online; your residents and businesses will thank you.
Did you know the internet started taking shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s? With the development of a research network funded by the US Department of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), the first message was sent in 1969 from a computer at UCLA to a computer at Stanford University.
Before digital government services were introduced, the internet became more widely used in the 1980s and 1990s as the World Wide Web (www) was built. Then, more people began to connect to the internet. The first web page was created in 1991, and the number of internet users started to grow rapidly.
Today, the internet’s a global network of interconnected computers and servers that enables the exchange of information and communication between people and organizations, and this article emphasizes its use in the public sector. We’ll highlight:
- Property tax payment
- Utility bill payment
- Building permit application and tracking
- Business licensing and permit application
- Voter registration and absentee ballot request
- Court case search and access to court records
- Parking ticket payment
- Animal licensing and registration
- Waste and recycling schedule and pickup request
- Park reservation and rental
1. Property tax payments as digital government services
Taking property tax payments online allows taxpayers to file and pay their taxes from the comfort of their own homes, at any time of day. It also reduces the need for paper documents and manual processing, which can make the process more efficient and environmentally friendly.
2. Utility bill payments as digital government services
Utility payments refer to the payment of bills for services such as electricity, water, and gas. Many local governments offer the option to pay these bills online because it’s more convenient for residents who want to pay their bills from any location with an internet connection, rather than having to visit a payment center in person or send a check through the mail.
On top of that, online utility bill payments can often be set up to automatically recur, which helps residents know that bills are paid on time and avoid late fees. This can be especially useful for people who have busy schedules.
3. Building permit application and tracking
Building permit applications refer to the process of obtaining permission from a local government to construct, alter, or demolish a building or other structure. Local governments offer the option to apply for building permits online as one of their digital government services as it can be more convenient for individuals and businesses to apply for a building permit from any location, rather than having to visit a government office in person.
Doing this saves time and resources, and may be especially useful for people who live far from a government office or who have busy schedules. Online building permit application often includes the ability to track the status of an application and receive updates via email or text message.
4. Business licensing and permit application
Taking business licensing and permit applications online allows businesses to register and obtain the necessary licenses and permits over an internet connection rather than having to visit a government office. This can be more convenient for businesses and can save time and resources.
5. Voter registration and absentee ballot request
As we’ve seen more recently, voter registration and absentee ballot requests taken online allows people to cast their votes from any location with an internet connection, rather than having to physically visit a polling station. This makes it more convenient for people to vote, especially for those with mobility issues or who live far from a polling station.
6. Court case search and access to court records
Public records and any other court record as digital records allows people to access court case information and documents online, rather than having to visit a courthouse. This allows people who live far from a courthouse or who have any disabilities to access their information as well.
7. Parking ticket payment in digital government services
Parking ticket payments refer to the payment of fines for parking violations such as parking in a no-parking zone or exceeding the time limit in a metered parking spot. Many local governments offer the option to pay parking tickets online as one of their digital government services which can be more efficient for everyone involved, as it reduces the need for manual processing of paper tickets and cash payments.
The ability to view and contest the details of a parking ticket, as well as to track the status of the payment is also a benefit of having this online service.
8. Animal licensing and registration
Animal licensing refers to the process of obtaining a license for a pet, such as a dog or a cat. Many local governments require pet owners to obtain a license for their animals and may offer the option to apply for and renew animal licenses online as one of their digital government services. Similar to having the other services online, this also provides a more convenient and trackable process for residents.
9. Waste and recycling schedule and pickup request
Waste management refers to the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid and hazardous waste materials. Many local governments offer online services to help residents and businesses manage their waste and recycling.
One common online waste management service is the ability to view and request the pickup of waste and recycling bins. This is convenient for residents and businesses as it allows them to request pickup of their bins from any location with an internet connection. This can, again, save time and resources and may be especially useful for people who have busy schedules or who live far from a government office.
Online waste management services may also include the ability to view and request special pickup of large or hazardous items, such as appliances or electronics. This can help residents and businesses dispose of these items safely and responsibly.
In addition, online waste management services often include information and resources on how to properly sort and dispose of different types of waste and recyclables, as well as on local waste and recycling regulations. This helps residents and businesses reduce their environmental impact and ensure that their waste is properly managed.
10. Park reservation and rental in digital government services
Park reservations refer to the process of reserving a specific location or facility within a park, such as a picnic area, sports field, or campground. Online park reservations can be more convenient for individuals and groups as it allows them to reserve a park facility from any location with an internet connection. This saves time and resources.
Similar to other digital government services, online park reservations can also be more efficient for the government as it reduces the need for manual processing of paper reservation requests and payment. This may result in a faster turnaround time for processing park reservation requests.
In addition, online park reservations often include the ability to view and compare different facilities and pricing options, as well as to make and manage reservations online. This helps individuals and groups choose the right facility for their needs and easily make or modify reservations.