View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2022 – NJAC County Biz – May
by Raj Juttukonda, Right Angle Solutions
It is no small task to measure, track and compare investment requests for programs that are supported by taxpayer’s levy or other grant sources. There are numerous steps required for approvals many of which are validated only at the end of the cycle. Especially when Counties rely on spreadsheets to manage the process the accuracy of the data and the ability to retrieve information is challenging.
Fortunately, technology is now at a mature stage that allows County Administrators to create standardized, web-enabled processes that help stakeholders by eliminating countless bottlenecks and obstacles administrators face every day.
Right Angle Solutions (RAS) has worked Morris County Administrators to effectively manage their Preservation Trust Initiatives programs for Open Space, Historic, Farmland, Flood and Trails Preservation Programs. This tailored and approachable solution leverages technologies to automate and simplify the application submission, approval, and grant management processes.
Here is what the CIO of the County of Morris, Mr. John J. Tugman had to say.
“Morris County had created numerous disparate static databases over the years to support the management of critical high-visibility Planning and Preservation programs Open Space, Historic Preservation and Flood Mitigation.
The re-engineered process and Web App RAS is delivering has enabled Morris to standardize and modernize grant program management. The modern web-based platforms RAS is delivering will allow the various Morris municipal, non-profit, and private applicants to submit applications interactively and monitor the processing of their application(s) in real time.”
The benefits of modernizing the grant management process are:
- Electronic Organization: Electronic submission of applications, deeds, surveys, and other associated legal documents that can be uploaded, retrieved, and shared through the application
- Seamless Integration with County GIS: Parcels, easements or structures that are included in the program are virtually connected to GIS maps. The maps visually display where and “when” program dollars were spent.
- Historic: The nature of the application allows accessibility of ALL projects, past and present; thereby providing real-time metrics of the cumulative preservation information.
- Multi-level Communication: Information is tailored to and shared between County commissioners, administrators, committee members as well as municipal and non-profit applicants.
Who are the direct beneficiaries of this solution in the County offices?
- Program Directors:
- Powerful, real-time infographics of monies received, monies distributed, account balances and spending trends that can help decision makers direct the future of program(s).
- Integration with County GIS gives local awareness of the lands that were preserved through the programs.
- Administrators:
- Complete project tracking throughout all phases between application, review, funding and monitoring
- Improved data influx with secure cloud storage that enables easy access to authorized personnel
- Transparency in the program fund utilization provides comprehensive information
- Commissioners:
- Residents see exactly where their tax dollars were invested, and can appreciate the tangible, cumulative value of the preservation program(s).
- Commissioners have secure access and review audited documents that fulfill all the required county criteria.
There are endless possibilities of creating substantial impact by extending this framework to various programs.
To access a case study that will explain in detail on how to go about this process of modernization from conception to implementation, click on Case Study Please!