Use Case: Streamlining Municipal Operations in Bristol, VA

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Virginia, the City of Bristol is a unique and historic locality. Known for its vibrant music scene and officially recognized as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Bristol is a small city with a big personality. While it shares a name (and a border) with Bristol, Tennessee, the Virginia side has its own distinct government and infrastructure challenges. Managing city operations efficiently is crucial for ensuring that essential services run smoothly, and for that, Bristol, VA, turned to InteractiveGIS.

Challenges Faced by Bristol, VA

Like many municipalities, Bristol needed a digital solution to manage its workflows more effectively. The city sought a way to:

1. Improve the Building Permit Process
   • Keeping track of permits, fees, inspections, and approvals is a multi-step process that, if not well-managed, can lead to delays and miscommunication.
   • City officials needed a centralized system to assign tasks, ensure compliance, track payments, and provide transparency from application submission to final approval.
2. Implement a Street & Utility Work Order Module
   • Maintaining roads, utilities, and public infrastructure requires constant reporting and tracking.
   • The city needed a geolocated reporting system where both internal employees and the public could submit concerns about potholes, manhole covers, road debris, and utility issues such as broken water lines or downed electric lines.

The Power of Web-Based GIS for Municipalities

Cities and counties across the U.S. face similar challenges when it comes to tracking infrastructure and ensuring public services are handled efficiently. A lack of centralized data can lead to disjointed operations, inefficient response times, and overlooked maintenance tasks. Web-based GIS solutions, like those provided by iGIS©, offer a seamless way to manage geographic data, track tasks, and improve communication across departments.

• Centralized Data Management – Instead of relying on scattered spreadsheets or paper trails, municipal workers can access and update real-time information in one place.
• Geolocated Issue Reporting – By integrating mapping technology, road and utility issues can be reported with exact coordinates, reducing response time and improving accuracy.
• Workflow Automation – Automated tracking of tasks and inspections ensures that no steps are skipped, improving compliance and efficiency.

How InteractiveGIS Delivered a Custom Solution

InteractiveGIS worked closely with Bristol, VA, to develop custom modules tailored to its specific needs. The solutions implemented included:

A customized building permit management module that allows city staff to track permits from application to approval, ensuring inspections and fees are handled systematically. Unlike traditional permitting systems that are primarily database-centric, InteractiveGIS’ approach is map-centric, allowing users to visualize permits spatially with ease. This means permits can be viewed directly on an interactive map, giving staff a clear geographic perspective of ongoing projects. Additionally, users can initiate a permit directly from the map interface, streamlining the process and ensuring all spatial data is integrated seamlessly into the workflow. This system provides automated task assignments, deadline reminders, and real-time status updates, reducing delays and improving efficiency in permit processing.

A street and utility work order module that enables city employees to report road, utility, infrastructure concerns directly on a map, making it easy to assign and track resolution efforts. The system supports photo uploads, priority tagging, and automated notifications, ensuring that reported issues are quickly addressed and resolved. Additionally, this module handles utility reports such as downed power lines or broken water lines, allowing for swift coordination between city departments and utility companies to mitigate hazards and restore services efficiently.

Why iGIS© is the Right Choice for Municipalities

InteractiveGIS doesn’t just offer an out-of-the-box solution—it builds custom tools that address each locality’s unique needs. With its cloud-based format, iGIS© is accessible from anywhere, ensuring that city staff can update records in real-time.

Moreover, the affordability and scalability of InteractiveGIS make it a perfect fit for municipalities looking to modernize their operations without an overwhelming cost. With a dedicated team of GIS experts, InteractiveGIS provides quick turnaround times on customized solutions that help cities like Bristol, VA, stay organized and efficient.

From streamlining the building permit process to enhancing road issue tracking, the City of Bristol, VA, has experienced firsthand how tailored GIS solutions can revolutionize municipal operations. Interested in learning how InteractiveGIS can support your locality? Contact us today to explore customized solutions for your city or county.

Header image source: Discover Bristol