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Leesburg commissioners weigh one-year contract for citizen-reporting app after staff-led adoption boosts
Summary
City staff presented a proposed one-year contract for a SeeClickFix-style reporting app that would cost the city about $17,000–$25,000 annually (roughly $20,000). Commissioners and residents questioned the app's low citizen adoption in peer cities and noted that much of reported activity is driven by municipal staff.
Leesburg commissioners discussed whether to adopt a citizen-reporting smartphone app after staff presented usage data showing low public uptake in comparable Florida cities and substantial internal use by municipal employees.
City staff said the proposed contract would be one year and cost roughly $17,000 to $25,000 annually — a figure staff summarized to “about $20,000 per year.” Staff explained that, using the vendor’s pricing, that equates to an estimated $90 per submission assuming an average of 20 submissions per month.
The presentation noted adoption benchmarks from peer cities: Eustis showed about a 1.4% adoption rate based on 364 complaints among an estimated 24,000 residents; Tavares showed higher raw activity but staff said Tavares’ numbers were driven largely by city employees using the system for internal facility work, not by unique citizen accounts. City staff warned that reported adoption rates overstate unique citizen participation because some accounts submit multiple complaints.
Mayor Mary Reisman asked commissioners to revisit the item; the city manager indicated that, if the commission consents, the purchase could be executed under the manager’s budget authority and the one-year contract could be terminated if the city does not see benefits.
Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about outreach and cost-effectiveness. Commissioner (surname not specified in the transcript) said she was “not very impressed” with a 1.4% adoption rate in Eustis even after marketing. Commissioner Conell (first referenced during discussion of planning items) said the planning commission had concerns on a different agenda item but did not take a formal position on the app. Several residents urged adoption if outreach accompanied the product: Dina Simpson (Renew Day Spa, 214 W. Main St.) asked whether Eustis ran a strong marketing campaign; Jesse Flynn (2204 Vine St.) and Melissa McCracken (McCracken's Pub) said clear promotion (bill inserts, utility-bill notices, a message on the city phone system or a billboard) would be necessary to increase public use. One resident who identified herself as a Tavares resident said the app allowed paying utilities and eased internal workflows for staff, which she said reduced call volume to the city.
Staff confirmed there would be a contract and that it would run one year, giving the city a chance to terminate if the tool proved not to be cost-effective. Staff also said there is no formal staff recommendation; the manager said he could execute the contract under his authority if the commission indicates consensus to proceed.
The commission did not take a final, formal recorded vote on the contract during this meeting; the item was discussed and left for further consideration and outreach planning.
The contract’s estimated annual cost, staff description of how peer-city adoption was calculated, and the manager’s authority to execute a one-year agreement were the key facts covered in the discussion. Public commenters emphasized ease of use and stronger public outreach as prerequisites for adoption.
