Lake Forest Park plans transition to iWORKS for improved permit tracking

The Lake Forest Park City Council meeting on May 8, 2025, focused on a significant proposal regarding the city's community development permit tracking software. Director Hoffman presented a detailed update on the need to transition from the current software, Accela, to a new system called iWORKS, highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with this change.

Hoffman explained that the existing contract with Accela has become outdated and underutilized after nearly nine years. The software has not kept pace with modern needs, leading to inefficiencies in workflow and increased costs. The city has been exploring alternatives and has narrowed its options to iWORKS, which offers a more user-friendly interface, unlimited users, and cloud-based storage at a lower cost.

The proposed transition aims to enhance the efficiency of permit processing and improve public access to permit information. The new system is expected to streamline communication and coordination among city staff and provide residents with better tools to track their permit applications.

Hoffman emphasized the financial benefits of switching to iWORKS, projecting significant savings over the next three years compared to renewing the Accela contract. The first-year cost for iWORKS is estimated at $19,000, with subsequent years capped at $18,500, compared to nearly $80,000 for Accela and its associated support services.

The council is set to review the contract with iWORKS on May 22, 2025, with the goal of implementing the new software shortly thereafter. The transition will involve training staff and ensuring a smooth data migration from the old system. Council members expressed support for the proposal but raised concerns about data security and the impact on public access to permit information.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to modernizing its permit tracking processes and improving service delivery to residents. The upcoming decision on the iWORKS contract will be crucial for the city's digital transformation efforts.