Council reallocates funds to fast-track permitting software and social media archiving to support recovery

Council members approved a budget amendment to reallocate funds toward a permitting/inspections software platform and social-media archiving to support recovery operations. Director Dane said the software will centralize permitting, inspections and communication across public works, planning and building inspections, and could be implemented within weeks with vendor assistance and additional temporary staff support from partner jurisdictions.

"I really feel it's necessary that we have it," Director Dane said, noting the city had been evaluating software options for months and plans to fast-track implementation with assistance from Appleton and county planning staff. Mayor Hammond added the social-media archiving purchase will help with public-record retention during response operations. The motion to amend the budget carried 8–0.