Managing Key Functions of Running Your Community

Public sector organizations face a multifaceted challenge in overseeing various functions, ranging from financial management to essential services and sustainable development. To effectively run a thriving community and keep up with citizen demand, technology has transformed the way local governments operate, making processes more efficient, transparent and accessible to all. 

With government funding opportunities such as the Technology Modernization Fund and the American Rescue Plan, the public sector must take every opportunity to invest in new technology to enhance government services. 

In this article, we discuss CentralSquare’s robust solutions to help municipalities improve all essential functions of community management. 

CentralSquare Govasyst™ Suite  

Our Govasyst™ Suite is designed to simplify how you manage your municipality by bringing everything you need into one fully subscription-based, integrated solution. The solution features capabilities to streamline your land management, building permits, code enforcement and more, allowing you to work with one vendor covering all your technology needs.  

Govasyst provides everything you need to get clear visibility into all activities, with the ability to see what customers and employees are doing. Streamline all your organization’s processes from a true fund accounting solution with integrated tax and utility bills, payroll, permits, licenses, code violations, plus more. 

As a subscription-based system, you can implement the software 50% faster compared to the industry average. When you subscribe to any of our bundled solutions, you have the flexibility to deploy what you need to go live with today, while deploying other solutions in the bundle in the future when you need them. 

General Government Bundle 

The CentralSquare GovAsyst General Bundle is a comprehensive and integrated system designed to streamline various administrative functions for local government authorities. One key component of this bundle is the Building Permits module, which enables efficient tracking of all building permits. 

With this module, users have the flexibility to define permit types, associated fees and required inspections. Additionally, it facilitates the creation of a centralized database for names and addresses, encompassing areas such as building permits and business licenses. 

A crucial feature of this bundle is the code enforcement function. It allows you to effectively monitor and manage data related to code enforcement violations. The system keeps track of property ownership details and guides users through various steps, from inspection to sending notifications and letters. 

Incorporated within the General Government Bundle is property tax billing functionality. This enables the creation of bills for both real and personal property taxes. The system also monitors delinquent accounts and payments, and provides a user-friendly platform for tax billing. 

The integration of the General Government Bundle means that as you process permits, licenses, and code enforcement violations, all financial transactions flow seamlessly into the General Ledger. This simplifies accounting processes and ensures accurate financial reporting. 

Moreover, the bundle facilitates cash receipts management, allowing customers to make payments for various services, including tax bills and utility charges. It ensures secure handling of funds and streamlines the reconciliation process. 

Additionally, the system offers the capability to consolidate property information into a centralized database. This includes ownership details, legal descriptions, valuations, and a comprehensive history of activities related to the property, such as utility accounts, permits, and code violations. 

On the flip side, the bundle empowers local authorities to maintain a unified database of constituents’ information. This allows for easy access to a constituent’s utility accounts, tax bills, building permits, and other relevant records when responding to inquiries or requests for assistance. 

Utility Bundle 

The Utility Billing Bundle is a versatile system that accommodates an array of services, including unlimited metered and non-metered services, as well as non-recurring charges. The bundle empowers users to define rates and execute true cycle billing efficiently. It offers the flexibility to prorate non-metered services for move-ins and move-outs, eliminating the need for manual calculations. 

One standout feature of this solution is its ability to track extensive billing history, providing unlimited billing histories for reference and easy bill reprinting. Moreover, it seamlessly integrates with various Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Management (AM) solutions, supporting multiple layouts and offering ongoing updates to meet evolving needs. 

The system also extends beyond billing, allowing users to comprehensively manage meters. It doesn’t just cover meters in active use but can also track meters that are not yet in production or undergoing maintenance, providing valuable insight into meter locations and performance. The system facilitates the setup of various meter tests and their associated dates, complemented by user-definable fields to cater to specific requirements. 

For added functionality, users can opt for additional features such as email billing, integrated payment options on their website, or outsourced printing through the e-print option. Additionally, the bundle incorporates service order tracking, automating the management of customer service requests and correspondence records. 

Fund Accounting Bundle 

Financial Bundle offers everything you need for financial management in local government. Unlike traditional accounting systems, like QuickBooks, which often require the setup of separate systems to track different funds, this solution operates under a single accounting system, allowing for the efficient tracking and reporting of funds in one integrated database. 

Within this bundle, users gain access to line-item budgeting, enabling the setup of budgets for various accounts. As transactions are processed, such as purchase orders or tables, the system can provide warnings if expenditures approach or exceed budget limits, helping to maintain financial control. Moreover, it offers clear insights into fund availability by percentage, aiding in informed financial decision-making. 

The solution also includes integrated encumbrance accounting, facilitating the use of purchase orders. Users can create purchase orders and monitor budget compliance, ensuring accurate financial tracking as invoices are processed. 

The bundle further incorporates a Point of Sale (POS) system designed for cash receipts, making it easy for customers to pay utility bills, taxes, invoices, or other miscellaneous charges. It offers the capability to import balances and efficiently handle financial transactions, simplifying the revenue collection process. 

Bank reconciliation is made effortless, allowing users to reconcile their accounting software with bank statements. The system provides detailed reports and drill-down options to track deposits and expenditures seamlessly, all within a single interface. 

Additionally, the Financial Bundle includes a comprehensive payroll application designed to meet the unique needs of municipal workers. It offers the flexibility to track unlimited pay types, deductions, benefits, and employee time allocation across different departments or projects. Features like direct deposit and other functionalities enhance the efficiency and accuracy of payroll processing. 

Leverage the Power of CentralSquare’s Solutions 

Running all key functions of local government can be complex, however, good technology turns complicated operations into a simplified and seamless process.  

You can learn more about the power of Govasyst by connecting with our team of experts to get a free demo.