BY Ben Wolford
While Lexington continues to build on its character with the addition of breweries, eateries and urban attractions, its public service features are being overshadowed. Many Lexington residents do not know that their city offers a variety of free online services to find information, submit service requests and ultimately learn a little more about the city. Most of these services are only available online, however, some are mobile friendly and others will soon be taking the step towards a mobile friendly platform.
5. Lexcall 311
Lexington residents should be familiar with the 311 service number. This number can serve many purposes. Not only can one looking for information about Lexington dial these digits to get information about the city, but for any concern (aside from emergencies) 311 can most likely aid your issue. Understandably so, sometimes a phone call isn’t the easiest method of contacting 311. Available on the web, iOS and Android is the Lexcall 311 app.
This app allows you to submit any concern or ask any question and have a response sent back to you directly through the app. Everything is slowly moving towards convenience. Trends show that people are much more likely to use online services instead of speaking with someone over the telephone; it is often just simpler. Now, no matter what your situation is, you have a method to contact 311 for information from Lexington experts or to submit any concerns about the city.
- RaidsOnline
There are many reasons to support the appeal of RaidsOnline. This app allows you to search a neighborhood or specific street in Lexington and be provided a detailed crime report that stretches back numerous years. The user interface is clean, easy to navigate and in-depth in regards to the crimes you can find. Just about any crime imaginable, from arson to domestic violence has its own icon associated with it.
After searching a street you can filter the dates and crimes to match your search criteria. There are many instances where this app could be useful. Anything from general interest in Lexington crime, scoping a potential area you plan on moving to or even becoming more familiar with the safety of an area your child may be playing in. RaidsOnline is only available in a web browser meaning there is no app for it. This is an updated and very useful app to aid in safety when traveling through Lexington.
- LEXserv: City Services
LEXserv is one of the most simple, yet beneficial services provided by Lexington. Best put, LEXserv is responsible for your water quality, landfill and sanitation sewer services. If you are a Lexington resident, chances are you have an account with LEXserv and more than likely pay your water bill through though it. Some residents enjoy the idea of tangibility when receiving or paying bills. However, if you are someone who would much rather pay your water bill online, paperless, then direct yourself to the LEXserv webpage. Not only does LEXserv provide tutorials on how to read your water bill and familiarize yourself with their system, but it gives you the option to pay your bill online to avoid the hassle (and potential danger) of sending checks or cash through the mail. Alongside all of these ease-of-use options, the LEXserv website is full of general home owners information and a FAQ section to do its best to help make customers comfortable with their water services.
- Code of Ordinances
This web app is simple, yes, but any resident should keep it in their favorites tab. The Lexington-Fayette Code of Ordinances website is basically an easy to navigate index regarding all of Lexington’s laws. This website contains 26 chapters on open records. There are no secret laws in Lexington when everything is provided to its residents. Anyone in need of reference to a law can easily find what they are looking for on this site. This webpage also contains an updated list of adopted ordinances not yet codified with entries as recent as 2016. This keeps all residents up to date on any laws passed, or even anything in discussion. It pays to be a well-informed resident and with a service like this one, it genuinely makes it difficult to be un-informed.
- Open Data Portal
Simply put, this web-based service is a gold mine of information. With a total of 96 data sets available in 6 different categories, Lexington’s open data portal is a collaborative effort to force transparency and accountability upon local government by providing high-value government data in an easy to read format.
