GALT, CA (MPG) - The city of Galt has relaunched its GaltConnect app, giving a fresh experience for residents submitting service requests or looking for information on city operations.

“It has a lot of new features on there that are more user-friendly and the interface is a lot better to use, too,” said Genesis Alegria, the city’s community engagement analyst.

The app’s major feature is the ability to report problems related to park maintenance, road repair and graffiti, and receive updates as the city handles the issue.

“So, if they go to the park and they see a broken swing, that’s where they can submit their request to,” Alegria said.

She explained that the app provides a faster response time to reports because it sends submissions directly to the relevant department. The app also allows easier follow-up when the city addresses a report, which “gives the user more of an understanding of where it’s at in the process.”

To use the service request feature, a user must create an account. After creating an account, a user selects from a list of topics, including noise complaints, abandoned vehicles, graffiti and street repair. The user can submit a photo or video of the issue and tag its location.

“Once they hit ‘submit,’ it goes directly to the department, the department looks at the request, and then they acknowledge that the request has been taken,” Alegria said. “And then, once it’s completed, they (the user) get a notification saying that the service is completed.”

The app also provides a city phone directory as well as links to information on Galt City Council, community events, parks and recreation, police and bill payment.

Alegria encouraged residents to update the app on their devices or download it if they haven’t already. She said the app is part of her efforts to bring the government closer to the community where she herself lives.

GaltConnect is available for Apple and Android devices. To download the app, scan the QR code with this article using your device, or visit onelink.to/galtconnect.