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Integrated Payment System Increases City Efficiency

Kent, Wash., has launched an integrated payment system designed to let citizens pay for all city services from a single location.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Kent, Wash., has launched an integrated payment system designed to let citizens pay for all city services from a single location.

The new technology allows city staff to process most fees and payments -- such as utility bills, building permit fees and business license fees -- with a single desktop application. The system integrates with existing back-end systems operated by city departments. It also links them to Kent's Customer Service Department, which manages city finances.

The result is improved efficiency within city agencies and better service for citizens, said Tom Vetsch, Kent's customer service manager. "Residents no longer have to wait while each bill or fee is processed manually or with separate software," he said. "One system at our customer service counter takes care of most fees."

Kent, a city of 84,000 people located south of Seattle, has used similar technology in its Parks and Recreation Department for several years. Now it intends to implement the integrated solution -- Class CitiServe from Class Software Solutions -- at payment counters throughout the city.

"We look forward to additional development of applications interfaces and an even greater use of the overall system," said Vetsch.