Orderville board tables decision on TextMyGov alert platform after presentation

The Orderville Town Board on Monday heard a presentation about TextMyGov, a text-message–based communications platform, and voted to table a decision for one month while staff checks references and usage by similar towns.

The presentation came from Trey (TextMyGov representative), who said the platform “is strictly a communication, texting platform, that the town would be able to use to help communications, whether it’s pushing information out to the residents as well as residents being able to text in to an automated number to get their question answered.” The board then discussed functionality, costs and contract terms before tabling the item for further research.

Board members asked about staff workload, reporting and polling capabilities. Trey said initial setup and creation of common responses are handled by a project manager and that the system keeps a log of messages, allows export of numbers and message logs, and can run simple surveys or provide links and QR codes for more detailed feedback. He described the platform’s no-app, opt-in-by-text approach and showed an example used by a Utah town.

Cost questions produced specific figures: Trey said the platform carries an initial three‑year term, with an example first‑year total of $2,250 (an initial set‑up fee plus the recurring amount) and $1,500 per year thereafter; adding the survey feature would raise annual recurring costs by about $500 to roughly $2,000 a year. Trey also said TextMyGov can offer a two‑year term on request but prefers a three‑year commitment.

After the discussion, a board member moved to table the action for one month and gather references. The motion passed unanimously. The board asked the vendor to send use cases and references to staff members Brianna and Chelsea; the vendor agreed to follow up by email.

The item will return for action at the board’s August meeting.