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North Aurora staff recommend Cloudpermit to modernize permitting; in‑person option to remain
Summary
Staff recommended Cloudpermit as the village’s new online permitting platform after evaluating multiple vendors; first-year cost quoted at $18,400 versus OpenGov at $77,000 and a CityView upgrade at $94,000. Trustees emphasized keeping a face-to-face option and asked staff to analyze credit-card fee handling.
North Aurora staff recommended switching the village’s permitting system to Cloudpermit after evaluating several vendors and an upgrade to their existing CityView software, the Committee of the Whole was told Dec. 2.
Nathan, a community development staff member, said the village evaluated Cloudpermit, OpenGov, Civic Review, SmartGov and CityView. “Cloud permit on the first year was $18,400. OpenGov was $77,000,” the presentation said. Staff recommended Cloudpermit as the best balance of interface and cost. CityView’s suggested upgrade price was quoted in the packet as $94,000.
Why it matters: Staff said the change aims to enable full online permit submittals (upload plans, pay online, and reduce manual counter processing). Trustees raised equity and access concerns and asked whether older or non‑technical residents could still file in person; staff said face-to-face service would continue and the village might provide a lobby workstation for assistance.
Operational and fiscal follow-up: Trustees asked staff to analyze the municipal handling of credit‑card processing fees. Staff said that historically the village absorbed such fees but that higher-value permits may prompt a policy review. The packet includes a draft contract from Cloudpermit staff said they would include in the upcoming budget discussions.
No formal procurement action was recorded at the Committee meeting; staff recommended moving the contract and budget considerations forward to the appropriate approval process.
Quotes: "Cloud permit on the first year was $18,400. OpenGov was $77,000," Nathan said in the vendor comparison. "There's never an intent to get rid of the face to face. This is — that'll always be an option," Nathan said when asked about access for residents who prefer in-person service.
Next steps: Staff will present contract details and any required budget items to the Board as part of the budget and procurement process.
