County reviews TextMyGov two-way texting service; presenter to send quote and references

TextMyGov representative Landon Beck gave a roughly five-minute presentation to the Carroll County Board of Supervisors on a two-way mass-texting platform that the company says lets local governments send targeted alerts and receive citizen replies. The board asked questions about costs, user access and sign-up methods and requested a formal quote and references. Beck told the board the service is “a two way communication tool” designed for government agencies and does not require residents to download an app. He said residents can opt in via a website widget or by texting a provided phone number and can opt out by texting “STOP.” The presenter outlined the vendor’s pricing estimates for a county with a population of about 20,000: a base package of about $6,000 annually and a premium package near $8,000 a year. Beck said the company begins with a three-year contract that “is an annual fee. We do start out with a 3 year contract. After 3 years, if you guys want to continue the program, it does revert to year to year.” He described a paid database import, purchased through the U.S. Postal Service, that the vendor says typically enrolls roughly 50 percent of households; Beck said subsequent imports would cost about $5,600 each. Board members asked how many users or departments could post notices. Beck said the county could create as many user accounts as it needs at no additional license cost and that departments can be set up to send messages without routing through one or two central users. He demonstrated that the product includes a map-targeting tool for sending messages to a neighborhood or set of addresses, automated keyword replies for routine questions (for example, on tax deadlines or polling places), Facebook sharing and newly added weather alerts. The board asked for implementation materials and references from other Iowa municipalities. Beck listed current customers that include Fort Dodge, Washington County, Hamilton County, Mitchell County and Cherokee County and said he would send links, marketing materials and an itemized written quote to county staff. County staff indicated they would meet with the communications center and relevant department heads before any formal procurement. The presentation closed with the company agreeing to send a hard-copy quote and a list of jurisdictions that use the service; county staffer Courtney was identified as the staff contact for next steps.