Mariemont council authorizes three‑year license for iWORKS work‑order software

The Village of Mariemont council voted Dec. 15 to authorize the mayor to sign a purchase order for iWORKS, a work‑order and permitting software, approving a three‑year license that staff said will be used first to collect operational data and then to improve service‑department efficiencies and citizen engagement.

Staff presented iWORKS as the preferred option because it dovetails with the building‑department permitting system and includes modules for work planning and citizen engagement. Council discussed alternatives, including OpenGov, which staff said typically serves much larger municipalities and may start at about $20,000 for base costs. Presenters recommended a three‑year term so the village could spread set‑up costs and allow time for training and adaptation.

Council members asked whether the citizen‑engagement module would reduce the number of direct phone calls to the service department. Staff said the portal can centralize requests and provide automated status updates, but it will not stop residents from calling unless contact numbers change; staff suggested the village could encourage use of the portal and noted that the maintenance supervisor (Ben) would still receive some direct calls until processes change.

Council moved, accepted an amendment to specify a three‑year contract, and voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign the purchase order, with staff expecting the first phase (data collection) to begin in January pending purchase‑order processing.

What happens next: Staff will create the purchase order, schedule training, and begin first‑year data collection to measure workload and service efficiencies.