Local Governments of the Future

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.I have been doing research lately about government services and how they will evolve in the future. Traditionally, governments are usually a decade behind the private sector in adopting technology to help solve problems. I started thinking though, what services will I expect as a citizen in the future? I have compiled a list of the top ten technologies that are already available for use – or should be! However, most cities don’t have these services available due to a variety of reasons: the cost, the internal resistance to implementation, the complexity of coordinating various levels of government agencies and the lack of know-how.

1. I want to be able to find information and government documents about me online. I don’t care if it is my water bill or the deed to my house – I want to have access to it inexpensively and quickly online.
2. I want to be able to pay bills online. So far, I can pay for utilities and traffic tickets online but I want to be able to pay for any service that way.
3. I want to have one login for all my government services from the local, state and federal level. This is probably the most worrisome of my requests for the government because of security – but having a global login where I can pay my taxes and at the same time report potholes down the street – well, that’s just efficient.
4. I want to interact with my elected officials and tell them what I think and have them respond to me quickly and personally.
5. I want to be able to report potholes, graffiti, vandalism etc. using my smart phone and then be notified when the problem is corrected.
6. I want to understand what is happening in my government in a way that won’t put me to sleep. Where does the money come from and where does it go? I want that infographic on the front page of every government agency website.
7. I want my government to stop worrying about lawsuits and making knee-jerk reactions every time there is one small problem. And that requires citizens to start exerting some peer pressure about lawsuits. Your friend fell in a park and only mildly sprained their ankle? They should not be filing a lawsuit and you need to tell them that. Likewise, I want my government to use data points to see if there is a real trip and fall problem in that park or if it was a one time occurrence before they ban everyone from running there.
8. I want to be able to watch and participate in government meetings from my home. I want notifications before specific topics are discussed if I have signed up for that service.
9. I want to know what services cost. Why is the administrative fee to pay a ticket online $140 when the ticket is only $20? Where is the managed competition?
10. And finally, I want a real person to answer the phone.