Council approves ClearFlow asset‑management platform with five‑year prepayment

Charlotte City Council voted to approve ClearFlow LLC as the city's enterprise asset‑management platform and to prepay a five‑year subscription for approximately $130,007. The mayor said most of the expense will come from the water and sewer fund; the motion passed unanimously.

Stephanie, the city's public works director, told council the software is GIS‑based and integrates work orders, preventive‑maintenance scheduling and parts inventories so crews can document fixes and photos in the field. "That technology, ClearFlow, in particular, is GIS based. And so all of their app... integrates with our GIS," she said, summarizing the contract's operational benefits and the vendor's implementation commitments.

Council members asked about training timelines, parts-cost tracking and refund protections for an IT contract. Stephanie said the vendor provided an implementation schedule (roughly six weeks to initial operation) and that the platform includes inventory controls with QR codes. The chief noted the system could improve the city's Insurance Service Office rating by better-tracking hydrant maintenance. The council called the roll for a final vote and the motion carried unanimously.

City Manager highlighted the expected funding source and said the purchase aims to reduce risks from undocumented maintenance activities and speed response times across departments. Council did not attach additional conditions to the approval beyond standard contract review.