Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Digital Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kenai council enacts ordinance to buy online permitting software; staff say it will modernize workflows
Summary
Ordinance 3505‑2026 passed unanimously to authorize purchase of permitting software that will add a public portal and unify permit workflows across building, utilities, planning and licensing. Staff and the vendor described improved transparency and efficiency; council raised questions about cost increases since earlier estimates.
The Kenai City Council on March 4 enacted Ordinance 3505‑2026 to increase estimated revenues and appropriate funds for procurement of a permitting and public‑portal software product.
Mr. Fry, who has led the software review for the city, told council the product will function as a public portal for building permits, utility hookups, planning and zoning reviews, licensing and fee payments. "The end goal is that we're going to have a product that people can go online, apply for these types of permits... the public will be able to log in, see where their permit is at in process," Fry said.
City Manager Eubank said digital permitting will routinely route applications among departments, reduce paper workflows and improve public transparency and staff efficiency. Council members asked about the project's rising cost from an early $15,000 estimate to a much larger figure; Eubank and staff explained the earlier amount was an under‑estimate of required functionality and that implementation and setup account for much of the cost.
Clerk roll call recorded the ordinance as enacted by the council. Staff said they will return with contract award recommendations and a project implementation timeline; council discussion noted the implementation will likely take months and include staff training and template building.
The ordinance authorizes staff to proceed with the procurement and begin implementation planning, with a subsequent contract award presented to council per the city's procurement thresholds.
