Ark Valley News - Bel Aire unveils app

Bel Aire unveils app
By Taylor Messick
Last Updated: January 12, 2017

The City of Bel Aire has launched a new mobile app that it hopes will keep residents informed and allow them to communicate with the city more easily.

The city previously had a mobile app but it didn't function the way the city would've liked. Community development specialist Tristin Terhune said when looking for the right company to launch the city's new website, the availability of a mobile app was of importance. Civic Plus built Bel Aire's new website and offers a mobile app that is easily compatible with the functions of the website.

"We want to be able to get our information out in any way possible to the residents," said Terhune. "Some may prefer the website, which is mobile friendly, and some may prefer the app to pay bills, find staff information or relay a concern. Another nice thing is if they have the app and we ever have an emergency, we can send out notifications easily and quickly and they don't have to subscribe to anything to get them."

The city has been making sure the app runs smoothly since about mid-December. Now that they are comfortable that there are no problems with functionality, they will begin to promote the tool to residents.

The app makes the functions of the website quicker and more accessible for residents. Other functions, such as access to staff directories, community calendars and contacts for the city about issues or concerns, are also easier to navigate. The city wants to use the tool to increase communications between the city, residents and businesses; in order to do this, they are encouraging residents to use the community calendar by notifying the city of events to help fill it up.

"Residents want to know what's going on," said Terhune. "Our main goal is to get that information out to them before they have to go searching for it. They can also let us know about things they think need to be done — and the more we hear from them, the more we can do for them."